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The Minister for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Mr Ronald Lamola welcomed dignitaries of the G20 Sherpas and Sou-Sherpas to South Africa on Monday, 9 December 2024, at Investec in Sandton.
South Africa has officially assumed the G20 Presidency office from 1 December 2024, taking over from Brazil. The country is expected to host and/or attend over 100 meetings; the Sherpas meeting is just but one of the many meetings to follow.
The Sherpas meeting is expected to also boost the tourism sector as the dignitaries will be exploring all nine provinces of South Africa during their stay in the country. Lamola welcomed the dignitaries on African soil, to the first G20 meeting hosted by an African country as the President of the economic bloc.
“It is quit fitting that the first G20 meeting on African soil takes place in the facilities of an international banking and wealth management group that was founded in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1974.
As President of the G20, collaborative efforts such as these between our public and private sector will no doubt ensure the success of our Presidency. In this spirit, let me take this opportunity to thank the Executive leadership of Investec Group for graciously hosting us as their guests for the next couple of days and extending their excellent facilities for our use,” welcomed the Minister.
Lamola further outlined that South Africa will continue from where Brazil ended and will push for an inclusive economy growth, equality, industrialisation and employment. Food security and Artificial Intelligence (AI), data governance and Innovation for sustainable development.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency will also provide an opportunity for the advancement and advocacy of the African continent agenda; to bring the over 1 billion population market to international markets and grow its economic potential.
“We will use this G20 platform to shine the spotlight on agenda 2063 of the AU,” said Minister Ronald Lamola.
