South Africa is set to take on the G20 presidency in 2025, marking a significant diplomatic milestone for the country and a pivotal opportunity for Africa as a whole, according to the United Nations.
The G20, which includes 19 nations and the European Union (EU) along with the recently admitted African Union (AU), accounts for 85% of the global economy, 75% of world trade, and 67% of the global population. The UN highlights that South Africa’s presidency will uniquely position it to influence global policy and advocate for African interests.
Under the theme “fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainable development,” South Africa’s presidency aims to address pressing global challenges, with a particular focus on advancing Africa’s development, said Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
The UN noted that the nation’s leadership could have major impacts on the broader African region, particularly in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Phiri emphasized that South Africa’s role within the G20 will allow it to push for policies that support South Africa, SADC, and Africa as a whole.
Key priorities for South Africa’s term will include tackling the continent’s issues of poverty, unemployment, and inequality, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, also known as “The Africa We Want.” Professor Danny Bradlow from the University of Pretoria remarked that this presidency could address critical obstacles to regional integration, such as trade agreements that currently hinder the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The UN called South Africa’s 2025 G20 presidency a “historic opportunity” to reform global governance structures to better represent the aspirations of the Global South.
