G20 Leaders' Summit | South Africa is a gateway to the African continent: Dr Ronesh Dhawraj

The article is a transcript of a live broadcast discussion from the G20 Leaders' Summit in Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa—the first time the event has been held on the African continent. Hosted amid cheers and following unusual weather symbolizing blessings, the panel features Elizabeth Cedaropoulos, CEO of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), and Dr. Resh Doraj, SABC News research editor, analyzing the summit's first day. Key highlights include the surprise early adoption of a 30-page non-binding declaration during President Cyril Ramaphosa's opening address, originally expected the next day. The declaration, averaging 18-37 pages in past summits, emphasizes consensus without veto powers or a secretariat, covering South Africa's priorities like food security, inequality, cost of capital disparities, and the proposed Ubuntu Commission on global public goods. It promotes norm entrepreneurship, amplifying African concerns such as fair debt frameworks, critical minerals beneficiation, curbing illicit financial flows (estimated at $88-89 billion annually), and disaster risk resilience. Experts stress the need for implementation through the Troika (South Africa, incoming US, future UK presidencies), private sector involvement, and forums like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty for policy sharing and lesson-learning. The G20's evolution from financial crisis response to broader issues like tourism, air connectivity, and energy security toolkits is noted, positioning South Africa as Africa's gateway amid a shift from global south (Indonesia, India, Brazil, South Africa) to north (US 2026, UK 2027, South Korea 2028) presidencies. Broader context critiques outdated post-WWII institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO) for lacking representation—e.g., no African permanent UN Security Council seat with veto, US veto in IMF decisions—and calls for reform amid geopolitical shifts, including BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, and DRC (where minerals like coltan fuel M23 rebel control and Western interests). Youth unemployment (74% in South Africa), Gen Z protests (e.g., Madagascar, Nepal, Bangladesh), and Africa's 1.4 billion population (mostly young) underscore urgency for action over rhetoric, data collection, and investment in R&D. Side events feature German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announcing €3.2 billion for the Compact with Africa, including €37 million equity in the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance Facility (ATI) to mobilize $400-500 million in trade/investment, boosting German-African ties. French President Emmanuel Macron urges ceasefires in Sudan (resuming aid, empowering civil society), addresses fragile Lebanon sovereignty against Hezbollah/Israel, and stresses robust Ukraine peace involving Europeans amid Russian aggression. Argentina, under President Javier Milei (who skipped the summit, sending his foreign minister), was the sole dissenter on the declaration, which was adopted by majority consensus. Implications include risks of irrelevance if global north presidencies discard progress, the need for African unity and beneficiation to retain resources, and multilateralism's role in delivering tangible benefits against populism and instant gratification demands, with South Africa's Troika role vital for continuity.