Johannesburg G20 summit: A stronger voice for Global South

The 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 22-23, making history as the first G20 meeting hosted on the African continent. With South Africa at the helm, the summit focuses on key issues such as climate financing, food security, and artificial intelligence governance — highlighting the collective voice of the Global South.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Li said, China and South Africa are working together to advance an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, aiming to benefit the peoples of both countries.

China, Li said, is ready to continue working with South Africa to carry forward their traditional friendship, expand cooperation across various fields, so as to better promote the common development of the two countries, as well as unity and cooperation between China and Africa as a whole.

African leaders and scholars see the summit as a chance to bring the continent's development priorities to the global stage. This landmark event is expected to put Africa's unique perspectives and solutions in the spotlight, boosting the representation and influence of the Global South in global governance. It's an important step toward strengthening multilateralism, an open world economy, and fostering greater international development cooperation.

South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations Alvin Botes said that nearly 130 meetings and activities have been organized in preparation for the summit, in partnership with the African Union. These efforts aim to ensure that Africa's and the Global South's development priorities are firmly included in the G20 agenda, amplifying their voice in global economic decisions.

Senegalese News Agency Director General Momar Diongue called the summit "timely." With the African Continental Free Trade Area advancing regional integration, the summit provides an opportunity for Africa to transform its regional successes into global influence, he added.

Peter Kagwanja, president and chief executive of the Africa Policy Institute, pointed out that the Global South, including Africa, has often been sidelined in crucial global discussions, especially on financial reforms and climate change. However, he noted that the summit marks a growing unity among these nations to protect shared interests and drive global governance reform.

Currently, global governance reform stands at a critical crossroads. Allowing developing countries, including Africa, to participate equally in major global decision-making is essential for achieving fair and effective governance.

Many global leaders have emphasized that the G20, originally established as a multilateral platform for international cooperation to address the global financial crisis, serves as a key mechanism for tackling global issues. The summit offers a valuable platform for the Global South to shape the future of international cooperation.

(With inputs from Xinhua; Cover via VCG)