South Africa expects G20 to facilitate cooperation

The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro is expected to facilitate international trade and address challenges facing the world, including strengthening global governance and multilateralism, South African officials and experts said.

Ronald Lamola, South Africa's minister of international relations and cooperation, made the remarks while briefing the media in Pretoria on Nov 12 about the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy.

Lamola said it is expected that the heads of state and government approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year and point out ways of dealing with global challenges.

"The G20 is a preeminent forum, on whose stage, global economic cooperation is facilitated. Thus, supporting emerging and developing economies to achieve sustainable development is vital for global stability and security: reducing resource pressures, population movements and the risk of conflict. This is especially important for the African continent," Lamola said.

South Africa is playing an enhanced role as a member of the G20 in support of one of Brazil's priorities on the reform of global institutions of governance, Lamola said. South Africa would like to see "renewed institutions and a reformed governance" that is more representative, effective, transparent and accountable, reflecting the social, economic and political realities of the 21st century, he said.

Sizo Nkala, a senior research fellow at the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Africa-China Studies, said African countries expect the summit to address fair trade, climate change and peace and security.

The African Union will promote the African Continental Free Trade Area at the G20, taking into account the role of bigger economies, Nkala said.

Nkala said many areas in the African continent are debt-stressed and are likely to ask for some debt forgiveness or suspension at the summit.

Infrastructural investment

The African free trade area needs investment in infrastructural development, manufacturing plants and the agricultural supply chain, he said. Africa is also expected to discuss peace and security with the G20 partners, as well as climate change funding issues, Nkala said, adding that the Brazilian summit is taking place when multilateralism is under threat.

Mikatekiso Kubayi, a senior researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue think tank, said South Africa and the African continent expect the G20 to address issues confronting the globe, particularly the Global South. He explained that the G20 summit is expected to address the reform of the global financial architecture and ensure stability in the global economy.

"It is expected that the G20 would discuss the funding for climate change, particularly funding for loss and damage," he said.

"Countries in the Global South lack finance and technical expertise for transition to cleaner energy," he said, adding that discussion should also cover areas such as dispute resolutions and reform of the World Trade Organization, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.