President Cyril Ramaphosa remarks at the G7 Leaders’ Summit session on Open Societies and Economies

Prime Minister Boris Johnson,

Your Excellencies,
 
South Africa is committed to working with the G7 and invited member states to protect and promote shared democratic values. 
 
This pandemic has demonstrated the value of a free and diverse media, an active citizenry and robust democratic institutions.
 
It has also underlined the importance of a global human rights agenda that tackles social and economic injustice, systemic racism and gender inequality.
 
It is important that we respect diversity in democratic models, institutional arrangements, economic systems and developmental approaches.  
 
South Africa welcomes the focus in this Summit on the digital economy and the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on developing economies. 
 
It is clear that without capacity building, the digital divide between and within nations will result in bigger economic disparities. 
 
We welcome the G7’s resolve to make skills accessible and expand training and education, particularly for girls and women. 
 
Women’s empowerment is central in poverty eradication and promoting inclusive economic growth in Africa. 
 
That is why the African Union has prioritised investment in the education of girls and young women, improving access to finance and markets, and promoting women entrepreneurship.
 
We will never realise our ambition of open societies and economies for as long as women do not have equal social and economic opportunities.
 
I thank you.