Ramaphosa hails G20 Social Summit as ‘historic milestone’


President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the G20 Social Summit as a historic milestone for global cooperation. He was speaking at the end of the three-day civil society gathering in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, on Thursday.

The meeting brought together almost 5000 delegates, including young people and women.

The idea of the Social Summit started in Brazil and South Africa expanded it from 14 social groups to 22.

South Africa’s Social Summit boasts the introduction of seven Legacy Projects.

Ramaphosa says the Summit has given practical meaning to global solidarity.

“History too will record this year as a milestone for global cooperation. We affirm the historic nature, not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world. It is our expectation that this Social Summit will be remembered for being far more than a marketplace of ideas. Just as the Bandung Conference elevated the voice of the Global South and just as the Conference of the People harnessed global solidarity against apartheid, this year’s G20 Social Summit must be remembered for having given practical meaning to global solidarity,” says Ramaphosa.

G20 Social Summit | President Ramaphosa delivers closing address