The Presidency

Distinguished Heads of State and Government of G20 Members and Invited Guest Countries,
Heads of Regional Economic Communities,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres,
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Heads of International Organisations,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,

It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all to the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held on African soil. 

We gather here at the Cradle of Humankind to affirm our common humanity.

We gather here to affirm the value of partnership and cooperation, to finding common solutions to shared problems.

Shortly before the dawn of a democratic and free South Africa in 1994, the founding father of our democracy President, Nelson Mandela, said: “The time has come for South Africa to take up its rightful and responsible place in the community of nations.”

Today, as we open this G20 Leader’s Summit, South Africa is deeply aware of the profound responsibility that membership of the community of nations places upon us.

We also understand the responsibility of being entrusted with the Presidency of the G20. 

In the execution of its task as the President of the G20, South Africa has throughout the past year – through its stewardship of some 130 meetings in various parts of South Africa, in other countries on the African continent and beyond our shores – sought to undertake this task with care and diligence.

We have sought at all times to preserve the integrity and stature of the G20, a premier forum of international economic cooperation.

The deliberations of the G20 have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community.

From its initial focus on broad macroeconomic issues, the G20 is now engaged on matters such as trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, environment and climate change, among others.

As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

In pursuit of, and in conformity with, the founding mission of the G20, South Africa adopted the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency.

Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind. 

This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.

By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations.

The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is not only unjust and unsustainable. It is also one of the greatest impediments to sustainable growth.

It is essential that we break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography. 

Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20.

This is important not only for the people of Africa and the Global South 

It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict. 

We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. 

And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency. 

Thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods. 

The threats facing humanity today – from escalating geopolitical tensions, global warming, pandemics, energy and food insecurity to inequality, unemployment, extreme poverty and armed conflict – jeopardise our collective future. 

It is therefore essential that we make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

We welcome the Sevilla Commitment adopted in June this year, which sets forth a renewed global framework for financing for development.

We must use this framework to catalyse development investments at scale in developing economy countries.

We must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.

At the beginning of our G20 Presidency, we identified four high-level priorities.

Firstly, we focused on action to strengthen disaster resilience and response.

While climate-induced natural disasters affect countries around the world, they have a particularly devastating impact on countries that cannot afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding. 

We have agreed that it is essential for the global community, international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction. 

Secondly, we agreed that we must take action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.

The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries. 

Thirdly, we said we should mobilise finance for a just energy transition, increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries. 

Fourthly, we emphasised the importance of harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development through the beneficiation of the minerals at the place of extraction. 

In addition to these four priorities, we have prioritised issues of inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, inequality, employment, food security and artificial intelligence. 

Much of the work of the past year will be presented and considered at this meeting.

We commend in particular the G20@20 Review, which provides a detailed account of the path we have travelled as the G20.

It describes both our achievements and our challenges, and makes proposals on how we can organise ourselves to be more focused on our core mandate.

We welcome the work of the G20 Africa Expert Panel, led by South Africa’s former Minister of Finance Mr Trevor Manuel.

The panel argues that African efforts to accelerate productive investment require new global partnerships and strong multilateral cooperation. It calls on the G20 to support this effort by building a global policy framework that unlocks long-term finance at lower cost and investment at scale.

We are also grateful for the work of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, led by Professor Joseph Stiglitz.

The recommendations of the Extraordinary Committee provide a solid platform on which to launch a renewed global effort to tackle inequality.

As this is the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Africa, it carries the hopes, and must reflect the aspirations, of the people of this continent and of the world.

We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature or the impact of the first African G20 Presidency.

This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened.

We thank all the delegations that have worked together with us in good faith to produce a worthy G20 outcome document for this historic leaders’ meeting.

The G20 underscores the value and relevance of multilateralism.

It recognises that the challenges we all face can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership. 

The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.

It sends a message of hope and solidarity.

It tells the world that as the leaders of the G20, we will keep fast to our solemn pledge to leave no person, no community and no country behind.

I thank you

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, 
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany,
President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga,
Distinguished Ministers and Central Bank Governors,
Heads of International Organisations,
Distinguished Guests,

It is my honour to welcome you to this G20 Compact with Africa event on economic growth and jobs.

This event allows us to reflect on the progress that has beenachieved through the Compact with Africa, and to discuss the promise of its next phase, known as Compact with Africa 2.0.

The Compact aims to deepen investment, create jobs and build sustainable prosperity through stronger partnerships with the private sector. 

Since its establishment during Germany’s G20 Presidency in 2017, the Compact with Africa has made steady progress.

It has supported participating countries in implementing ambitious reforms and mobilising investment.

It has strengthened dialogue between governments, private investors and international partners.

We welcome the increased interest by African countries in joining the initiative. This underscores its relevance and value. 

This year, we have made revitalising the Compact with Africa a central priority, with a focus on expanding membership through enhanced visibility within the G20 and across theAfrican continent.

Over the course of 2025, and in close collaboration with the German Federal Government, we convened a series of high-level events to showcase and profile the Compact.

These included a Ministerial Dialogue held on the margins of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in July.

This was followed by a Ministerial Outreach on the margins of the 8th African Union Specialised Committee on Finance in October.

The Ministerial Outreach was an important platform to inform AU Member States about the benefits and achievements of the Compact. 

The last high-level event was convened on the margins of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

Supported by the World Bank, this event marked the official launch of the new Multi-Donor Trust Fund, designed to support the next phase of reforms and investment within the Compact with Africa framework.

We welcome Germany's commitment to provide the initial contribution of 10 million Euros towards this new instrument. 

Today’s dialogue reaffirms the importance of strong cooperation between the G20 and Africa, underscoring the vital role of the private sector in driving growth, creating jobs and promoting shared prosperity.

I trust that through this engagement, we will strengthen the Compact as a key channel for partnership, reform support and increased private sector involvement. 

We are confident that it will continue to unlock investment and help build resilient, inclusive economies across the continent.

In closing, I would like to thank the German Federal Government for its steadfast leadership of this initiative since its inception.

I acknowledge our valued partners – the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the African Center for Economic Transformation and the African Union – for their continued support. 

Lastly, we recognise the Compact countries for their efforts in reforming their economies and ensuring that investment flows into Africa.

Let us move forward with renewed partnerships and newinvestments.

Let us work together to secure growth, jobs and shared prosperity for all Africans.

I now invite Chancellor Merz to deliver his remarks.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa met today, Friday 21 November 2025, with African Heads of State and Government, the African Union (AU), and African organisations, on the margins of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit, to further reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to advancing Africa’s development priorities within the framework of the G20, and to enhance and strengthen regional, multilateral and international cooperation and partnership.

African leaders congratulated South Africa for its successful steering of an historic G20 Presidency, the first on the African continent, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” This theme is consistent with the spirit of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasises the interconnectedness of individuals within a broader communal, societal, and environmental context.

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed the G20’s renewed commitment, expressed during South Africa’s Presidency, to its partnership with Africa within the strategic framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and its emphasis on the importance of economic growth, jobs and prosperity, including the key role of private sector investment in unlocking the economic potential of the continent. 

The meeting discussed the four high-level priorities that anchored the work of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, namely:

•⁠  ⁠Strengthening disaster resilience and response;
•⁠  ⁠Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries;
•⁠  ⁠Mobilising finance for a just energy transition; and
•⁠  ⁠Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

African leaders welcomed the initiatives introduced during South Africa’s G20 Presidency in support of Africa’s aspirations for sustainable growth, resilience, and global partnership. These include the AI Initiative for Africa; the Ubuntu Principles on Food Security, Nutrition and Price Volatility; the G20 Africa Cooperation Agenda on Trade and Investment, which seeks to mobilise G20 support for Africa’s economic integration and investment in its productive sectors and infrastructure; and the broadened Compact with Africa. 

They further welcomed the G20 Africa Engagement Framework agreed under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which comprises a medium-term framework, spanning from its launch to the end of 2030, for G20 Finance Track engagement with and support to African countries and the African continent. This will ensure that the issues of greatest importance to Africa remain on the G20 agenda for discussion and action.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the rising debt burden on African countries as an issue that requires action by the international community. The President expressed deep concern that over 3.4 billion people now live in countries spending more on interest payments than on health or education. African leaders stressed the urgent need for coordinated action to address the immediate burden of high debt service costs and confront the root causes of recurring debt crises, and expressed strong support for the G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability, which clearly articulates the importance of this challenge and provides a basis for further concrete action to be taken. The meeting committed to advance these and other objectives outlined in the Lomé Declaration on Debt and the Common African Position on Debt.

African leaders supported the creation of a global Borrowers Platform to strengthen technical cooperation and amplify borrower voices, with a UN entity as its secretariat. The establishment of the platform will improve the governance and operation of the global debt architecture. African leaders committed to working together in a spirit of cooperation to establish the Borrowers’ Platform over the next year, and welcomed South Africa’s offer to convene the inaugural meeting of the platform in 2026.

The Africa Expert Panel, chaired by former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, presented its report to African leaders, who welcomed its proposals. The report puts forward simple, straightforward actions to accelerate investment in Africa, including disclosing project-level financial data to reduce investment costs; making simple adjustments to global banking regulations to unlock more finance for infrastructure and development; ensuring that the methods of credit rating agencies are sound, their sources fully disclosed, and their actions subject to regulatory oversight; and strengthening debt transparency and ensuring that creditors participate in reconciling debt data. President Ramaphosa committed to take the proposals of the panel forward not only in the G20 but in other international fora, working closely with the African Union and other partners. 

African leaders further welcomed the Report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality which was commissioned under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and supported the Committee’s proposal to create a permanent International Panel on Inequality which will provide policymakers, the private sector, and the public with authoritative assessments on inequality, and.ensure that inequality continues to be discussed by leaders as in the G20 and other multilateral fora. 

African leaders commended South Africa’s G20 Presidency for convening outreach meetings in the continent, including the G20 High Level Dialogue on Debt Sustainability, the Cost of Capital and the Reform of the International Financial Architecture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Food Security in Cairo, Egypt, and the meeting on Industrialisation and Agriculture in Abuja, Nigeria. 

The meeting reaffirmed the determination of African leaders and organisations to work collectively with the G20, international institutions, and partners to accelerate Africa’s transformation, strengthen resilience, and unlock the continent’s full potential for inclusive and sustainable development.


Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile on Friday, 21 November 2025, had a bilateral meeting with Honourable General (Rtd) Dr Constantine GDN Chiwenga, First Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe at the The Catalyst Hotel, Sandton. 

The meeting takes place on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held from 22 until 23 November 2025 at Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province.

South Africa and Zimbabwe have cordial and fraternal relations forged during the struggle against Apartheid and colonialism. 

Zimbabwe is one of South Africa’s main trading partners in the SADC region. In 2024, South Africa exported R 69,21 billion worth of goods and merchandise to Zimbabwe compared to R 57,5 billion in 2023.  

In terms of imports, in 2024, South Africa imported R5,4 billion worth of goods and merchandise from Zimbabwe compared to R R4,4billion in 2023.
 
South Africa is one of the top investors in the Zimbabwean economy. There are over 120 South African companies doing business in Zimbabwe in various sectors including, among others, mining, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail, construction and fast food.

“This meeting is important in the context of solidifying relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe, particularly trade and investment relations, and in advancing the strategic role of SADC at a regional level” said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

FIRST INTERVENTION

Your Excellency Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and co-host of the 8th Global Fund Replenishment,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

At a time when multilateralism has come under increasing strain and global cooperation in health is being sorely tested, this 8th Replenishment Summit of the Global Fund is a milestone for global health.  

Building resilient health systems, scaling-up local manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics, and securing sustainable financing are vital for both social and economic development.  

Without a healthy population, nations cannot prosper.

It is therefore essential that we close gaps in access to medicines, diagnostics and financing, so that every country can protect its people and achieve health equity.  

Today, we celebrate the collective effort to end HIV, TB and Malaria across the globe.

We reflect on the difficult journey we have travelled and the great progress we have made.  

This Summit reflects our shared commitment to invest in universal health coverage today for social protection and resilient health systems.

It is up to us to demonstrate that solidarity and collective action can prevail over division.  

It has been an honour and a privilege to co-host the summit over the past year alongside the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

We are deeply grateful to all partners who have made early pledges of nearly 4.3 billion US dollars so far.  

These initial pledges laid the groundwork for a robust campaign throughout 2025

I am pleased to announce that the South Africa government and private sector is pledging a total of 36.6 million US dollars toward this replenishment.  

This is the equivalent of R630 million.

Of the South African contribution, a total of 5.5 million US dollars has been pledged by the Goodbye Malaria organisation and 4.5 million US dollars by Anglo American, as they indicated earlier

We commend them for their unwavering commitment to improve the health of the people of our country, our continent and the world.

The South African private sector has indicated that more pledges will follow.

I call on the private sector in our country and elsewhere to step up and be counted amongst those that made a smart investment towards the elimination of HIV, TB and Malaria

Our pledge represents our confidence in the Global Fund partnership and in its ability to deliver on its promises.  

We remain grateful to the global health community that has supported us over the past few decades as one of the countries most severely affected by HIV/AIDS and TB.

We urge partners to maintain the momentum that we have achieved and continue to make bold, transformative commitments that match the scale of our common challenges.

It now gives me great pleasure to invite my co-host, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to make his remarks.

I thank you.
 

SECOND INTERVENTION: ANNOUNCING THE OUTCOME

Excellencies
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s Summit has been a defining moment for global health and for global solidarity.  

With just five years to go before the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we have taken to heart the call to accelerate our efforts.

The 8th Replenishment Campaign has been extremely robust over the past year and we can say that today we have reached a milestone in our partnership.  

The total pledge value of the 8th Replenishment is US$ 11.34 billion dollars.

This is an extraordinary achievement. We hope that future generations will look back on this moment as a turning point in the global fight against HIV, AIDS, TB and Malaria.  

The pledge amount is no mere number. It is a solid foundation for impact and a renewed impetus for transformation and change.

Millions of lives will be saved.  

Stronger, more resilient health systems will be built.

This outcome is the result of the determination of a diverse coalition that has come together in the interest of global health security. But we are not done yet- more countries, regional organisations and companies will rise up and meet us on this occasion

We must remain unified behind the purpose that makes the Global Fund unique and effective in equal measure.

As part of our commitment to the Lusaka Agenda on global health initiatives, we need to work smarter and more efficiently.  

We need to eliminate waste and duplication and address the fragmentation of the global health financing system.

Let me take this opportunity to thank all donors and partners for their pledges and leadership throughout the Summit.

This continued partnership – guided by solidarity, sustainability, innovation and equality – will   be essential if we are to deliver on our commitments and sustain progress.

I thank you.

1. President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the European Council, Mr António Costa, and President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen met on the margins of the G20 Summit on 20 November 2025.
    
2. This meeting follows a series of engagements between the leaders, including at the multilateral fora such as the UNGA80 in New York, the EU’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels and the recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.  
    
3. The Leaders reviewed progress on the key political and economic outcomes agreed to at the 8th South Africa – EU Summit held in March 2025, in Cape Town.
    
4. ⁠In the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and ahead of the 7th AU-EU Summit on 24-25 November in Luanda, Angola, this meeting took place against the backdrop of growing challenges to multilateralism and the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Leaders reiterated their March commitment to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine and in the occupied Palestinian Territories. They also recalled the importance of multilateralism, the centrality of the United Nations Charter and the support for a renewed global financing framework for sustainable development, following the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025 and Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) from 6 to 21 November in Belém, Brazil.  
    
5. The Leaders welcomed the signature of the EU-South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership (CTIP), which will create new trade and investment opportunities, while supporting decarbonisation objectives through a tailored, flexible, and targeted approach taking into account the priorities of South Africa and the EU. In addition to facilitating trade and investment in clean supply chains, this partnership will also serve as a forum for regulatory cooperation between the EU and South Africa in areas of mutual interest.
    
6. The Leaders also welcomed the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Minerals and Metals Value Chains, which will promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals close to the source of extraction and will enhance economic and industrial integration between South Africa and the EU. 
    
7. Delivering on the commitment taken up at the EU-South Africa Summit earlier this year, the two sides launched the South Africa - EU Energy Dialogue in September 2025 and agreed to raise it to Ministerial level in 2026. The Dialogue provides a platform to deepen collaboration in areas such as transmission, clean energy technologies and additional just transition initiatives. Both sides also reiterated the commitment to work together towards future export of electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF) to the EU market in line with the commitment made during the SA-EU Summit in March 2025. 
    
8. Leaders reiterated their commitment to facilitate bilateral trade in animals, plants and their products. In particular, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to enable trade of poultry, including through a conclusive discussion on regionalisation, as well as further assess and process EU market access applications based on the information to be provided by exporting countries as a matter of priority. The EU signaled readiness to advance listing South Africa as eligible to export shelf-stable composite products to the EU market. South Africa has shared progress report on various EU market access requests. Both sides committed to identify tangible deliverables to demonstrate progress in fulfilling their respective commitments by the next Trade and Investment Dialogue.
    
9. The two sides commended the agreement to facilitate bilateral cumulation of batteries through a temporary derogation from the Rules of Origin under the provisions of the EU – SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to be submitted by South Africa. This derogation would aim at promoting battery manufacturing in the EU and South Africa and facilitating South Africa to employ batteries made in the EU and South Africa to export electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to the EU market under the EU-SADC EPA. 
    
10. ⁠The EU announced five projects as part of the implementation of the Team Europe Global Gateway Investment Package for South Africa of nearly EUR 12 billion, unveiled at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on 9 October 2025. These projects included  three blended finance and technical assistance facilities on green hydrogen, minerals and metals in the e-batteries value chain; a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to Transnet to support the decarbonisation of South Africa’s transport sector; as well as support from EIB under the EU-supported Human Development Accelerator initiative to boost South Africa’s vaccine’s manufacturing capacities. The two sides acknowledged the role of the implementing partners, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Industrial Development Cooperation, Transnet and Biovac, as well as the EIB, the German Development Bank (KfW) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). 
     
11. The Leaders acknowledged the ongoing negotiations on the Horizontal Aviation Agreement, and the commitment by both sides to strengthen cooperation on maritime security in the context of the Djibouti Code of Conduct. 
     
12. The two sides noted the recent high-level discussions and technical exchanges dedicated to strengthening cooperation on environment, specifically on issues related the water sector.
     
13. The Leaders took note of ongoing efforts to advance cooperation on peace, security and defence, notably by establishing a dedicated Dialogue as set out in the Summit Declaration of March. It will strengthen cooperation, including on countering terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security and mediation. They further concurred that tackling the underlying drivers of conflict remains essential for achieving durable peace, security and stability.
     
14. The meeting took place in the same spirit of partnership and cooperation that characterised the Summit in Cape Town. Both sides undertook to redouble efforts to address the outstanding issues to foster shared prosperity based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. 
     
15. The EU looked forward to hosting the 9th South Africa – EU Summit in Brussels on a mutually suitable date to be agreed between the parties.

Programme Director, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni;
Former Deputy President of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka;
Minister of Human Rights of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Ms Macaé Evaristo;
Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament;
Delegates from the G20 member states;
Representatives of international organisations;
Co-Convenors of the Social Summit and Sherpas of the G20;
Members of the diplomatic corps;
Heads of delegation;
Representatives of religious and traditional leadership;
Delegates;
Guests;
Friends; 
 
Good morning. 
 
Sanibonani. Dumelang. Avuxeni. Goeie môre. Molweni. Ndi Matsheloni. Lotjhani. 
 
I greet you all in some of South Africa’s beautiful languages. 
 
One of these greetings, Sanibonani, is in the Zulu language. It literally means, ‘we see each other’. 
 
We are acknowledging the personhood, value and dignity of the one we are greeting. We are affirming the cherished principle of Ubuntu: I am because we are. 
 
This is the spirit in which this G20 Social Summit is being held.
 
Seventy years ago, in 1955, two seminal events took place that would be pivotal in defining human relations in our country and across the world. 
 
The first was the Asian-African Conference in Indonesia, also known as the Bandung Conference. 
 
At the time, a wave of independence was reshaping Africa and Asia. This conference has been described as the moment the Global South began to speak for itself.
 
The delegates to the Bandung Conference made a commitment to advancing peace and equality, to solidarity, and to economic and political cooperation rooted in mutual respect. 
 
The second seminal event of 1955 was the Conference of the People here in Johannesburg, in a place called Kliptown. 
 
It was the height of apartheid rule. Repression was rife. 
 
It was at the Congress of the People that South Africans of all races, all faiths and all creeds gathered to adopt the Freedom Charter, which would be the forerunner to South Africa’s democratic constitution. 
 
The Freedom Charter boldly declares that ‘There shall be Peace and Friendship’, and that this shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all. 
 
History too will record this year as a milestone for global cooperation. 
 
We affirm the historic nature not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world.
 
We meet at a time of great uncertainty. 
 
Political polarisation, global poverty, conflict and war, and the growing impact of climate change are threatening global development.
 
Inequality in wealth distribution, imbalances in international development financing, and disparities in access to financial resources are holding back our ability to meet the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 
 
As a continent, we are in tandem striving to realise the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa we Want. 
 
This is the second G20 Social Summit to take place since the concept was inaugurated by the Brazilian Presidency last year.
 
The breadth of representation and the depth of engagement is most impressive. 
 
It is here, in this room, where we lay the groundwork for global action on the G20 priorities. 
 
We know that global action will be credible because it is informed by the voices of the people. 
 
South Africa’s G20 Presidency has been premised on ensuring the interests of developing economy countries are elevated on the G20 agenda. 
 
We have sought to address poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. 
 
We have worked to strengthen and reform the international financial architecture, to democratise the systems of global governance, and to promote the right of all nations to development, equality and dignity. 
 
We have used our G20 Presidency to reiterate the call for the world’s leading economies to invest in sustainable development and in the conservation of the planet for future generations. 
 
But for the decisions taken at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit to stand tall, to grow, to have credibility and legitimacy, they have to be nourished by strong roots. 
 
These roots are our civil society and community organisations, women’s organisations, youth formations, academia and think-tanks, business, labour and other grassroots formations. 
 
We are fortunate to have secured the full and meaningful participation of all the formations in this Summit, including Women20, Youth20, Business20, Civil20, Labour20, Parliament20, Media20 and others. 
 
There has been broad and far-reaching consultation over the last year. 
 
There have been dialogues on issues as diverse as digital inclusion, equitable transformation and climate justice.
 
There have been discussions on just and sustainable finance, on media freedom, on strengthening democracy, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 
 
Delegates to this Summit have recognised the need to build resilience and inclusive value chains to protect vulnerable countries from increased volatility in global trade. 
 
The Social Summit has reaffirmed the importance of an inclusive transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient economy that is guided by those most affected.
 
Delegates are calling on the G20 Leaders’ Summit to demonstrate leadership in scaling up global water investment for the benefit of all. 
 
The G20 Social Summit has sought to ensure that global leadership protects society’s most vulnerable. 
 
Today is World Children’s Day, when we commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 
 
This was the first global UN convention ratified by the newly democratic South Africa. 
 
This Social Summit has called for more resources to be devoted to eliminating child poverty and hunger and to ensure that children are protected. 
 
The progressive deliberations at this Social Summit have culminated in calls for greater political commitment to advancing young people’s access to opportunities.
 
It has called for the health and wellbeing of women and children to be prioritised and for greater representation of women in all facets of society. 
 
As South Africa, we have lent our support to the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. 
 
As the Global Leaders Network, we are deeply concerned by the effects of the withdrawal of overseas development assistance on initiatives supporting health service delivery and health systems.
 
We are committed to work together to mobilise global health financing so that the most vulnerable are not further deprived of their rights to care. 
 
It was the great African revolutionary Thomas Sankara who said there is no true social revolution without the liberation of women. 
 
He said: “May my eyes never see, and my feet never take me to a society where half the people are held in silence.” 
 
We cannot build societies rooted in equality unless those societies uphold the rights of women and girls.
 
Sustainable societies are those that recognise, value and compensate the labour and economic contribution of women.
 
No society can thrive for as long as gender-based violence and femicide continues and the agency of women is denied. 
 
The violence perpetrated by men against women erodes the social fabric of nations. 
 
It imposes a heavy burden that constrains development and weakens inclusive growth. 
 
Men and boys are critical partners in transforming harmful norms and advancing gender justice.
 
They must be actively involved in challenging inherited attitudes, power imbalances and social structures that normalise violence and silence survivors. 
 
Here in South Africa, we have declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national crisis. 
 
We have agreed, among all social partners, that we need to take extraordinary and concerted action – using every means at our disposal – to end this crisis. 
 
The collective perspectives that have been expressed at this Summit on all these issues and more will enable governments and decision-makers to better understand people’s practical, lived experiences. 
 
They will be able to better understand what works and what doesn’t – and to better understand what must change. 
 
Collectively, the members of the G20 represent 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of global trade and two-thirds of the global population. 
 
For the G20 to fully live up to its mission of promoting international financial stability and deepening global economic cooperation there should be no unwritten rules about those who feast and those who must settle for scraps. 
 
It cannot be that a country’s geographical location or income or army determines who has a voice and who is spoken down to. 
 
In choosing the theme for our G20 Presidency, South Africa sought to advance a vision of meaningful, credible global cooperation. 
 
It is our expectation that this Social Summit will be remembered for being far more than a marketplace of ideas. 
 
Just as the Bandung Conference elevated the voice of the Global South and just as the Conference of the People harnessed global solidarity against apartheid, this year’s G20 Social Summit must be remembered for having given practical meaning to global solidarity. 
 
Thank you to all who have been part of making this Summit a success. 
 
We commend the delegates from various civil society organisations present here for shaping the agenda and direction of the G20 Social Summit. 
 
These efforts will foster ongoing cooperation between governments and civil society in advancing sustainable global development. 
 
For millennia, our forebears were guided by the sun by day and the stars by night. 
 
They relied on nature to show them the way as they traversed the ancient trading routes of Timbuktu, as they navigated the mighty Congo River, and as they made their way across the vast expanses of the Kalahari. 
 
Today, we are counting on this Social Summit to guide the G20. 
 
We are relying on this Social Summit to be the reliable, trustworthy compass that ensures the G20 agenda takes the needs and aspirations of all the countries and all the peoples of the world into account. 
 
It is our collective wish that this Social Summit will guide us along the path of solidarity, equality and sustainability. 
 
No matter the headwinds, no matter the geopolitical shifts, no matter the challenges, we will keep our eyes fixed on the horizon of progress and shared prosperity. 
 
We will set a new course for the world, and we will create a new future for its people.
 
I thank you.

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile will on Friday, 21 November 2025, host his Excellency, the President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron, to commemorate the French citizens who played a role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

The French President will be in the country to join other leaders who will be attending the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders Summit scheduled for 22-23 November, under the theme - " Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability ".

South Africa and France enjoy cordial bilateral, political and economic relations in areas such as Trade and Industry, Defence, Science and Technology, Energy, Education, Transport, Arts and Culture, among others.
 
The ceremony follows South Africa’s recent successful visit to France, which further strengthened the historic warm relations between the two countries by expanding on existing cooperation projects through mobilising investments, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation with specific focus on trade and investment.

Members of the media are invited to cover the Wreath-Laying Ceremony as follows:
Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Time: 18:15 (Media to arrive at 17:30)
Venue: Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum, Corner Koch and 7th Avenue, Salvokop, Pretoria 

Members of the media who wish to cover the Wreath-Laying ceremony should RSVP to Ms Tshiamo Selomo (The Presidency) on 066 118 1505 and Mr Tristan Roussignol Rètif (Embassy of France) on 082 610 2953.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, 
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour and privilege to welcome you all.

As South Africa’s G20 Presidency nears its close, we reflect on the journey we have travelled together to give meaning to the principles of solidarity, equality and sustainability.

We have worked together to reaffirm the role of the G20 as a forum of constructive dialogue and meaningful international cooperation. 

In South Africa we speak of the spirit of Ubuntu.

It teaches us that progress is not a solitary pursuit but a shared endeavour. 

That our strength lies in our shared humanity.

This spirit has guided our Presidency.

It has been reinforced by your support, your collaboration and your shared commitment to a more just, inclusive and sustainable world.

For this, I extend my deepest appreciation to each of you and your countries.

Across the year, we have worked to advance areas that are central to global well-being.

We have deliberated on measures to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, to reduce inequality and to advance debt sustainability.

We have discussed how we can make the world a place where the aspirations of all people to a decent life, lived in peace and with dignity, may be realised.

Today, we have adopted the Leaders’ Declaration of the G20 South Africa Summit, in which we outline the far-reaching actions on which we have agreed to build a better, more equal and sustainable world.

The Leaders’ Declaration is a profound affirmation of the value of multilateralism and the importance of dialogue.

We extend our appreciation for the constructive contribution that all countries have made towards this common vision.

As South Africa, we have sought to place Africa’s development firmly on the agenda of the G20.

We have done so not only because this is the first time the G20 is being held in Africa, but because Africa’s success is so important to progress and prosperity across the globe. 

While our challenges are many, our capacity to confront them is great.

As we share this meal, let us remember why the G20 exists – to bring nations together, to bridge divides, and to forge solutions that none of us could achieve alone.

Allow me to thank all the sponsors who have partnered so willingly with the South African government to ensure the successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. We express a special appreciation to Naspers for provision of the luncheon and the dinner we are enjoying.

As the leaders of the G20 and Guest Countries, let us continue to walk this path together, guided by empathy, strengthened by cooperation and united by the responsibility we have towards this generation and the many to follow.

As South Africa hands over the Presidency of the G20, we do so with confidence that the partnerships forged this year will continue to guide the work ahead.

I thank you once again for your friendship, your dedication and your continued support.

May this evening deepen the fellowship that has sustained us and inspire renewed purpose as we look to the future. 

I thank you.

Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E Mr. Pham Minh Chinh;

Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni;

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Zuko Godlimpi;

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka;

Vice Minister of Finance of Vietnam, Mr Do Thanh Trung;

Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Hoang Hiep; 

Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in South Africa, Mr Hoang Sy Cuong;

Members of the Business Community in South Africa and Vietnam;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning, and a very warm welcome to you all to Johannesburg, I hope that you have had a pleasant stay in South Africa and have experienced the spirit of Ubuntu that we pride ourselves in as a nation. 

I am honoured to address this gathering of business leaders and investors at such a pivotal moment for both our countries. The convening of this South Africa–Vietnam Business Forum, on the margins of the G20 Summit, is a timely reminder of the vital role that partnerships and collaboration play in shaping an inclusive global economy.

This forum follows closely on the successful State Visit by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a visit that has ushered in a new chapter in our bilateral relations.

During that visit, our two governments reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthen cooperation across a broad range of sectors — from trade and industry to agriculture, science and technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation. The visit not only served to strengthen the profound friendship that exists between our countries, but it also successfully mapped out a distinct course of action for the expansion of economic and developmental cooperation in the years to come.

Over the past years, South Africa has been Vietnam’s first trade partner in the continent, and Vietnam is a potential market for South Africa with a sizable population of more than 100 million, as a gateway to the ASEAN market of nearly 700 million people and a GDP of 4,000 billion US dollars.

Similarly, South Africa continues to serve as the most industrialised and diversified economy in Africa and a strategic entry point into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects over 1.4 billion people in a single market.

The AfCFTA benefits both South Africa and Vietnam's economies by opening up a single, large continental market for goods and services, increasing trade, fostering economic growth, and attracting investment. South Africa could benefit from improved market access for manufactured goods and diversification opportunities, despite some industries facing heightened competition. Meanwhile, Vietnam may expand its manufactured goods exports to Africa, utilising South Africa's infrastructure and financial markets to diversify its trade relations and address its current trade deficit with the country.

As it stands, we are appreciative that bilateral trade between South Africa and Vietnam has grown steadily, surpassing previous records in recent years. Yet, there remains vast untapped potential.

In 2024, South Africa’s exports to Vietnam amounted to US $610.89 million. In the same year, South Africa’s imports from Vietnam were about US $1.14 billion.

South Africa runs a sizable trade deficit in its trade with Vietnam, importing significantly more than it exports, recognising that our trade patterns reveal a challenge. Between 2023 and 2024 we had a trade deficit of 30%.

South Africa largely exports raw commodities—minerals, ores, fuels, and agricultural products—while Vietnam exports manufactured goods of higher value.

This imbalance calls us to move beyond the traditional trade in raw materials and work toward greater value addition, diversification, and industrial collaboration.

We have the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to diversify and deepen our economic engagement, to move beyond the exchange of raw commodities and promote value-added trade and industrial partnerships.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our governments are committed to creating an enabling environment for trade and investment. In South Africa, this includes improving ease of doing business, strengthening industrial infrastructure, and expanding trade finance support through entities such as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC).

We encourage Vietnamese companies to explore investment opportunities in our Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which offer world-class infrastructure and incentives. Likewise, we welcome South African businesses to invest in Vietnam’s dynamic industrial clusters and technology hubs.

Through our Joint Trade Committee and bilateral cooperation frameworks, we will continue to address trade barriers, facilitate market access, and enhance cooperation between our chambers of commerce and industry bodies.

This forum is not only about economics — it is about partnership, shared growth, and solidarity. It is about recognising that South–South cooperation offers a path to inclusive development, innovation, and resilience.

In this era of global uncertainty, both South Africa and Vietnam stand as advocates for multilateralism, sustainable trade, and equitable growth. As hosts of the G20 Summit, we emphasise the importance of collaboration among emerging economies to reform global trade systems and ensure that development benefits all.

To our distinguished business leaders, you are the engine of this partnership. The opportunities before us will only be realised through your innovation, your entrepreneurship, and your commitment to building bridges across borders.

Let us use this platform to identify bankable projects, establish joint ventures, and promote technology and skills exchange that can advance industrialisation and inclusive growth in both our countries.

Our government, together with our Vietnamese counterparts, stands ready to support you every step of the way.

Let us build on the momentum of President Ramaphosa’s State Visit and the spirit of this G20 Summit to propel South Africa–Vietnam relations to new heights.

This commitment was similarly reaffirmed during the reciprocal visit when Vietnam's Vice President visited South Africa in September 2023, and during my visit to Vietnam in December 2023, which included opportunities to engage with business leaders aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in sectors such as trade and investment.

The forthcoming agreement to enhance bilateral relations signifies that both parties want to establish camaraderie while also ensuring mutual benefits for their populations.

Together, we can create a model of partnership that demonstrates how developing nations, through mutual respect and shared ambition, can achieve prosperity that is both inclusive and sustainable.

I thank you.
 

Your Excellency Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,His Excellency Micheál Martin, the Prime Minister of Ireland
Mr Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen,
Distinguished delegates and viewers from around the world,

From the outset of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, we said that this would be an African Presidency.

We said that we would strive to bring the priorities of our continent to the centre of global dialogue. It would be a Presidency that advances solutions through genuine collaboration and partnership.

On the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, it is a privilege to join you for the culmination of a year-long effort to expand energy access across Africa. 

Africa represents the ultimate energy paradox. 

We have some of the world’s most abundant renewable energy resources: solar, wind and hydro. Yet some 40 percent of Africa’s population has no access to electricity.

This energy poverty impacts nearly every facet of life, from clean cooking to access to medicines, to quality education, to economic activity.

The Scaling up Renewables in Africa initiative was born of the need to expand energy access across the continent.

We support an energy-secure future for Africa that harnesses the human and technological potential of the continent.

Over the past year, through the G20, South Africa has advanced the Action Plan for Clean Cooking supported off-grid energy solutions.

We have promoted the Principles for Clean, People-Centred Just Energy Transitions.

Today, we call on all our partners to build on this momentum. 

Let us ensure that the progress we celebrate today is felt in the daily lives of all of Africa’s peoples.

Africa’s vast potential must be harnessed for the benefit of its people and the world. 

Through decisive action and global solidarity, we can accelerate Africa’s clean energy revolution and create enduring opportunities for all our people.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, President Emmanuel Macron;
Ministers and Delegates from the French Republic;
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and thank you for your presence at this very important occasion. We are gathered this evening on sacred ground built to honour all those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, justice, and human dignity in South Africa.

As an anti-apartheid activist myself, I am deeply moved by this ceremony, as it brings back the memories of the struggle, the conviction, selfless and discipline that many of our comrades displayed even during the most difficult times under apartheid.

This place is indeed a reminder of the history of our country and the price paid for our freedom. The Freedom Park stands today as a testament to the collective sacrifices that made our democracy possible. It is a reminder that the struggle against apartheid was not waged by South Africans alone, but supported by courageous men and women across the world.

This evening, alongside President Macron, we remember and pay tribute to the French citizens who stood firm against apartheid. These were activists, freedom fighters, journalists, scholars, and ordinary people of conscience who refused to look away. Many of them gave their voices, their talents, and, in some cases, their very lives so that South Africans could one day be free.

Their solidarity travelled across oceans. Their conviction strengthened our resolve. Their sacrifices form part of the long moral arc that bent toward justice in our land.

As we lay this wreath, we do so in deep gratitude — recognising that the bonds between South Africa and France are rooted not only in diplomacy and partnership, but also in shared values and shared struggle. These are bonds forged in the pursuit of human rights, equality, and enduring peace.

May this moment remind us of the responsibility we carry:

• to protect the freedoms so dearly won;
• to advance social justice at home and abroad;
• and to ensure that the stories of those who fought for our liberation continue to inspire future generations.

Your Excellency, thank you for this solemn act of remembrance. May the spirits of those we honour today continue to guide our nations toward a future marked by friendship, cooperation, and hope.

I thank you.

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile will on Friday, 21 November 2025, host his Excellency, the President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron, to commemorate the French citizens who played a role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

The French President will be in the country to join other leaders who will be attending the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders Summit scheduled for 22-23 November, under the theme - " Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability ".

South Africa and France enjoy cordial bilateral, political and economic relations in areas such as Trade and Industry, Defence, Science and Technology, Energy, Education, Transport, Arts and Culture, among others.
 
The ceremony follows South Africa’s recent successful visit to France, which further strengthened the historic warm relations between the two countries by expanding on existing cooperation projects through mobilising investments, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation with specific focus on trade and investment.

Members of the media are invited to cover the Wreath-Laying Ceremony as follows:
Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Time: 18:15 (Media to arrive at 17:30)
Venue: Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum, Corner Koch and 7th Avenue, Salvokop, Pretoria 

Members of the media who wish to cover the Wreath-Laying ceremony should RSVP to Ms Tshiamo Selomo (The Presidency) on 066 118 1505 and Mr Tristan Roussignol Rètif (Embassy of France) on 082 610 2953.

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, met with VISA's Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Mr. Tareq Muhmood, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs, Mr. Bobby Thomson, and their delegation on the sidelines of the B20 Summit at the OR Tambo House in Pretoria.  

Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed his gratitude to VISA's executives for their ongoing support and commitment to improving local infrastructure and the digital environment, significantly bolstering economic development and sustainability. 

The meeting reaffirms Visa's long-term commitment to South Africa, anchored by a R1 billion investment over the next three years. A key component of this investment is the establishment of South Africa's first domestic Visa data centre, the first of its kind in Africa. 

"As a government, we remain receptive to new avenues or concepts for investment, and we are committed to enhancing partnerships to augment investment in our beautiful nation. Your commitment to our country's infrastructure development has not gone unnoticed," said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Deputy President Mashatile emphasised the importance of VISA's partnership and investment in South Africa, as it will help localise transaction processing, improve payment service reliability, support innovations such as digital wallets, and, most importantly, empower SMEs, enhance township economies, and promote youth development through training and mentorship. 

The Deputy President concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to VISA Executives to attend the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference. “South Africa will host the Investment Conference in March 2026, and we would like to encourage you to participate in this event as we explore further areas of investment and partnership that will benefit you as a company as well as South Africa and its people, especially the youth,” said Deputy President Mashatile. 

Media enquiries: Mr Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President, on 066 195 8840

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria