South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday reaffirmed his country’s full support for Brazil’s presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), highlighting its key focus on social inclusion and the fight against global hunger.
In a statement delivered at the G20 Leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro, Ramaphosa stressed that a comprehensive and integrated social support system is crucial for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations. “Only through such a system can we ensure that those most at risk in our societies receive the necessary assistance,” he remarked.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in his opening remarks, decried the escalating global tensions and armed conflicts that have intensified economic and social challenges worldwide. In a bid to address one of the most pressing issues, Lula launched an initiative aimed at eradicating global hunger, a goal that aligns with broader G20 objectives.
According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people currently live in extreme poverty, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 67% of the global total. Ramaphosa acknowledged the growing hardships faced by developing economies, noting the challenges of declining growth prospects, reduced investments, and rising debt. These factors, he warned, could undermine development progress and delay the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“These challenges have the potential to derail significant development gains, especially in addressing poverty and hunger,” Ramaphosa said. He urged the G20 leaders to redouble their efforts in tackling these global crises, alongside advancing gender equality and addressing the urgent issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Looking forward, Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa, which assumes the G20 presidency on December 1, has long prioritized social welfare initiatives. Over the past three decades, South Africa has implemented extensive social protection programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, providing vital support to millions of citizens.
“Through these programs, we have made significant strides in lifting people out of extreme poverty and ensuring their basic needs are met,” said Ramaphosa. As South Africa prepares to take on a leadership role within the G20, he outlined food security as a major priority. “It is essential that the achievement of the SDGs remains central in international financing decisions,” he concluded.
