President Ramaphosa leads delegation to G20 Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the G20 Summit which takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 30 November to 1 December 2018.

Chaired by President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, the Buenos Aires gathering is the first G20 Summit in which President Ramaphosa will participate since being elected President in February 2018. The Leaders’ Summit will be complemented by meetings of finance ministers   from G20 member states. 

Argentina assumed the G20 Presidency in November 2017, with a focus throughout this year-long term on “Building consensus for fair and sustainable development” - a theme that resonates well with President Ramaphosa’s own emphasis on the importance of consensus and collaboration in South Africa’s efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable economy and advance social cohesion.

The G20 was formed in 1999 to bring stability to the global financial system, promote long-term sustainable growth and strengthen global financial governance. However, it has since expanded its agenda beyond economic and financial issues to encompass geopolitical matters and issues of peace and security, global governance, environment and international terrorism.

The G20, which consists of the leading developed and developing economies, accounts for 85% of global Gross Domestic Product, 80% of world trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

South Africa views the Summit as a platform from which to promote and strengthen interests of the African continent and of the South.

South Africa further views the G20 as providing meaningful opportunities for advancing global governance reforms and reorienting the international developmental agenda.

President Ramaphosa will in the course of this Working Visit hold bilateral meetings with various Heads of States to strengthen and deepen relations with partner countries and present South Africa as an attractive investment destination and trade partner.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni; Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, as well as the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers.

Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria