AA / Johannesburg / Hassan Isilow
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at the official ceremony to assume South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town that South Africa will support Nigeria to become a member of the G20.
This is a first: an African country will lead the group of powerful nations according to a principle of annual rotation.
“Nigeria will have full support from us. We have been an isolated member of the G20. We will have to raise the voice of Africa, which has been neglected,” said Cyril Ramaphosa, adding that Africa South will support Nigeria as it supported the African Union to become a member of the G20.
The African Union was accepted as a permanent member of the G20 at the bloc’s summit in New Delhi last year.
On Monday, Nigeria expressed its desire to join the group and sought support from South Africa.
According to media reports, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the request during the 11th ministerial session of the binational commission between South Africa and Nigeria, which was held in Heading Monday.
South Africa officially took over the presidency of the G20 on Sunday.
Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa’s G20 presidency comes at a time when the world faces serious challenges, including the worsening climate crisis, conflicts, wars and geopolitical instability, which are leading to difficulties and additional suffering.
He added that this comes at a time of great technological change, which presents both opportunities and risks.
“By working together with G20 members and building partnerships across society, South Africa will work to harness global will and capacity to address these challenges,” said Cyril Ramaphosa.
He added that his country will use its G20 presidency to make urgent progress on common goals through a number of priority actions.
“First, we must take steps to build disaster resilience. The growing number of climate-induced natural disasters is affecting countries around the world, with a devastating impact on those who cannot afford the costs of recovery and reconstruction”, underlined the South African president.
He continued: “We will take this issue to the leadership level, calling on the global community, including international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to step up post-disaster reconstruction.”
Cyril Ramaphosa said Pretoria will also focus on taking measures to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries. South Africa will also use its presidency to mobilize funds for a just energy transition.
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