/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

President Jacob Zuma will travel to Hamburg in Germany to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit that is scheduled to take place from 7 to 8 July 2017.

South Africa is one of the 19 member countries of the Group of 20 (G20) which, in addition to the European Union (EU), the 20th member, have been meeting regularly since 1999 to discuss global economic policy coordination.

The G20, conceptualised to stabilise and strengthen the global economy, brings together the major advanced and emerging market economies, which together represent around 85% of global GDP, 80% of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

Under the German Presidency of the G20, the overarching theme for the 2017 G20 Leaders’ Summit is “Shaping an Interconnected World” with the sub-themes of “building resilience”, “improving sustainability” and “assuming responsibility”.

The sub-theme of “building resilience” of the Leaders’ Summit will focus on the world economy, trade and investment, employment, strengthening the international financial architecture, financial markets and international tax cooperation. Under the sub-theme of “improving sustainability” the focus will be on climate and energy, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, digitalisation; global health as well as seizing the opportunities of digital technology and empowering women.

Finally, the sub-theme on “assuming responsibility” will focus on tackling the causes of displacement, the Partnership with Africa, fighting terrorism, anti-corruption as well as agriculture and food security.

South Africa’s participation in the G20 is guided by our national interest and the primacy of the African Agenda. Central to South Africa’s national agenda is Outcome 11 (“creating a better South Africa and contributing to a better Africa and a better world”). South Africa therefore seeks to use its participation in the G20 to promote and strengthen the interests of Africa and of the South, on the understanding that, if managed carefully, the G20 does present meaningful opportunities for advancing much-needed global governance reforms and orienting the international development agenda.

One of South Africa’s primary aims in the G20 is to provide strategic foresight in establishing an economic and international policy platform that will drive and negotiate the best possible outcomes for South Africa, Africa and the developing world. An important part of South Africa’s G20 strategy is therefore the outreach to Africa.

In this regard, as the only permanent African member of the G20, South Africa utilises its participation to raise issues of concern to Africa with other G20 members. Given that development is an important priority for South Africa in the G20, South Africa serves as a permanent Co-Chair of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG).

“Given the current global dynamics on trade and climate change, the upcoming G20 Summit presents an opportunity for decisive leadership,” said President Zuma. “In this regard, South Africa supports calls for the G20 to show international leadership particularly, in the area of climate change and trade, in helping to achieve progress in multilateral institutions, on the understanding that the G20 is not a substitute for the UN system, but should support and add value to what is being done within the UN context.”

President Zuma will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the Minister of Finance Mr Malusi Gigaba and the Minister of Energy Ms Nkhensani Kubayi.

Issued by the Presidency