South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, marking a pivotal moment as his nation prepares to take the helm of the influential economic bloc.
Mr Ramaphosa touched down at Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport on Sunday ahead of the two-day summit, which will focus on addressing global inequality and environmental challenges under the theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”.
The summit represents a significant shift in global economic governance, with South Africa set to assume the G20 presidency from Brazil – marking the first time an African nation will lead the group of the world’s largest economies.
During its presidency, South Africa is expected to champion African interests and push for reform of international financial institutions to better serve developing nations.
The gathering of world leaders comes as the Global South seeks greater representation in international decision-making, particularly on issues of climate finance and economic development.
Established in 1999 in response to the Asian financial crisis, the G20 has evolved from a meeting of finance ministers to become the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The group comprises 19 countries and the European Union, collectively representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, and 75% of international trade.
The forum gained prominence during the 2008 global financial crisis when it was elevated to a leaders’ summit, becoming a crucial platform for coordinating global economic policy. In recent years, its agenda has expanded beyond financial matters to encompass climate change, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
South Africa’s upcoming presidency follows a pattern of emerging economies taking more prominent roles in the group, with Indonesia, India, and Brazil having held recent presidencies. This shift reflects growing calls for a more inclusive global economic order that better represents developing nations’ interests.
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