South Africa presents foreign policy priorities ahead of G20 summit

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola presented the country's main foreign policy achievements and priorities ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg at a press conference. This is reported by TV BRICS.

He recalled that South Africa was elected Deputy Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika at the summit in Antananarivo, Madagaskar. From August 2026, the country will head the organisation while also chairing the Southern African Customs Union. According to the Minister, this creates conditions for accelerating integration and developing economic and trade cooperation in the region.

The minister paid particular attention to South Africa's presidency of the G20, the first for an African country.

"With numerous working group meetings complete and Ministerial declarations adopted, our focus is now on finalising outcomes that embody solidarity, equality, and sustainability,” he stated.

Upcoming G20 events, including the Compact with Africa 2.0, continent-wide discussions on food security and industrialisation, and the second meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly are identified as critical milestones.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of the G20 Social Summit, which will take place on 18–20 November and will focus on expanding civil society participation.