South Africa Takes Historic G20 Presidency with Focus on Climate and Debt Relief

As the first African nation to lead the G20, South Africa aims to prioritize climate resilience, debt sustainability, and development for the Global South while navigating potential challenges from U.S. President-elect Trump's policies.

• South Africa has assumed the G20 presidency, marking the first time an African nation leads the group of major economies, which includes 19 countries, the EU, and the African Union.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa announced key priorities, including mobilizing climate finance for disaster-stricken nations, ensuring fair debt relief for low-income countries, and supporting renewable energy transitions in developing economies.
• Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of addressing inequality and aligning climate action with economic development, building on lessons from Brazil's G20 leadership.
• The presidency comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump signals a combative foreign policy, including threats of new tariffs and skepticism toward international climate cooperation.
• The 2025 G20 summit will be held in Johannesburg, with South Africa working alongside Brazil and the U.S. to shape the agenda and advance the interests of the Global South.

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Associated Press The Conversation