South Africa will host the G20 Social Summit this week, marking a historic milestone in its G20 Presidency and reinforcing its push to embed social justice, equity and inclusive development within the global economic agenda.
The three-day summit, scheduled for 18-20 November in Johannesburg, will convene a broad spectrum of stakeholders including governments, civil society, youth movements, women’s organisations, persons with disabilities and grassroots networks.
Themed “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” the gathering aims to elevate social development issues to the same level of priority as macroeconomic and financial matters.
The Presidency said on Monday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as co-convenors to lead the summit’s organisation and ensure alignment with broader G20 priorities.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the opening address on Tuesday, while Ramaphosa will close the summit on Thursday and receive the G20 Social Declaration from delegates.
Brazil, as part of the G20 Troika, will also participate in the closing ceremony.
Building on Brazil’s initial introduction of the Social Summit, South Africa’s Presidency seeks to expand the platform as a participatory mechanism for shaping G20 outcomes through lived experiences and grassroots perspectives.
The summit will feature thematic sessions on digital inclusion, climate justice, trade resilience, energy democracy, sustainable finance and the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
Thirteen official G20 Engagement Groups – including youth, women, labour, business, civil society and others – have contributed proposals throughout the year to inform the summit’s deliberations.
JN/APA