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G20 leaders arriving for the summit.
International Relations analyst, Oscar van Heerden, has described the arrival of some of the world leaders in South Africa as a significant moment for Africa.
This year’s Group of 20 (G20) Summit is being held for the first time in an African nation.
It will focus on helping developing economies adapt to the climate crisis, transition to clean energy and cut excessive debt.
South Africa has held the Presidency since 1 December 2024, operating under the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.
Van Heerden says the presence of the G20 Leaders in Johannesburg is a positive indication that there will be a declaration.
“They (G20 Leaders) know that the Group of 20 is about the 20 largest economies in the world, but they are keen and they are sensitive enough to know that they cannot operate in a world without Africa, without the Third World, and certainly without the Global South. And I think because everyone has been on the receiving end of the bully called Donald Trump, that they are going to rally behind South Africa. Not that they are anti-Trump or anti-the US, but they are saying that we are no longer going to be bullied and we need to recognize that issues of sustainability, equality are actually important in the multilateral global system.”
