BREAKING NEWS: President Cyril Ramaphosa Closes Historic G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Paving Way for Global South Priorities

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially closed the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, hailing the event as a milestone for Africa and the Global South. In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for the international community’s support during South Africa’s presidency, emphasizing the G20’s role in addressing global economic challenges.

“This year, we met amidst significant challenges and proved that we can unite in times of difficulty to pursue a better world,” Ramaphosa said. The summit, the first hosted on African soil, prioritized sustainability, critical minerals, and equitable development, placing the needs of the Global South at the forefront of international cooperation.

The G20 adopted a Leaders’ Declaration committing to expand support for low- and middle-income countries, scale up climate finance, enhance cooperation on critical minerals, promote decent work, and advance trustworthy AI standards. The summit also reaffirmed shared commitments to energy security, universal access, and the 2030 Agenda.

Ramaphosa highlighted the African Union’s recent admission as a permanent G20 member as a step toward more inclusive global governance. The presidency will now pass to the United States, set to host the 2026 summit.

The event underscored South Africa’s push for a fairer global economic order, with leaders addressing issues like debt relief, climate action, and infrastructure investment in developing nations.