New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sudhakar Dalela, said that the South African Summit reflects priorities similar to those emphasized during India’s G20 Presidency.
In a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Africa, Dalela noted that food security and disaster risk management are at the forefront of the Summit’s agenda.
“The Johannesburg G20 Summit will mark the culmination of the first cycle of 20 G20 Presidencies. The priorities identified by South Africa are aligned with those of India’s G20 Presidency and that of Brazil, ensuring continuity in G20 discussions from the perspective of matters important to the Global South,” he said.
Dalela emphasized that the presidency continues to focus on issues central to the Global South, building on the efforts of previous presidencies led by developing nations.
“The Indian G20 Presidency established a disaster risk reduction working group, signifying the importance India attaches to the matter. The South African presidency has carried forward work related to disaster risk reduction and resilience as key priorities. Similarly, through the task force on food security, the South African presidency has continued the dialogue on this important challenge,” he said.
He added that several priorities from the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration—including digital public infrastructure, women-led development, and the action plan to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals—were advanced at the Johannesburg Summit.
“The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration provided a strong basis for many G20 outcome documents adopted this year across various ministerial tracks. The Indian Presidency’s flagship priorities—digital public infrastructure, women-led development, the action plan to accelerate SDG progress, and key outcomes of last year’s working groups including disaster risk reduction and women’s empowerment—have found strong resonance in the South African Presidency,” he said.
Dalela also highlighted that the Deccan High-Level Principles on food security were reinforced in this year’s outcomes.
“Furthermore, the Deccan High-Level Principles on food security and nutrition, the commitment to triple renewable energy capacity, and the pledge to double energy efficiency are among the key outcomes reinforced during discussions under the South African Presidency,” he added.
He noted that the Johannesburg Summit also marks the conclusion of consecutive G20 Presidencies held by four emerging economies—Indonesia, India, Brazil, and now South Africa—allowing for sustained focus on issues affecting the Global South.
“We have been actively participating in all tracks of the G20 throughout the year and now in Johannesburg, and we look forward to a successful and productive Summit,” he said.
Dalela added that Prime Minister Modi will participate in the IBSA Summit.
“On the margins of the G20 Summit, the Prime Minister will participate in the IBSA leaders’ meeting, as well as hold bilateral meetings with several leaders present in Johannesburg,” he said.
He confirmed that Prime Minister Modi will visit Johannesburg from November 21–23.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 21–23 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the invitation of the President of South Africa. This will be the Prime Minister’s fourth official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and his attendance at the BRICS Summits in 2018 and 2023,” he said.
Dalela noted that this is South Africa’s first G20 Presidency since the African Union was inducted as a permanent member in 2023 under India’s Presidency.
“In the first G20 Summit to be held on African soil, South Africa will bring attention to development issues concerning Africa and the Global South. Apart from G20 members, South Africa has invited several guest countries and heads of international organizations to the Summit,” he said.
He stressed that the Summit is important for ensuring continuity of India’s priorities.
“This Summit will be important for India to ensure continuity of its priorities after hosting a successful Presidency in 2023. The G20 has emerged as a premier forum for international economic cooperation and discussions on matters of global significance. It provides an excellent opportunity for leaders representing over 85 percent of global GDP and about three-quarters of the world’s population to address pressing global issues,” he said.
Dalela explained further that these issues include accelerating SDG progress, reforming global governance institutions, tackling environmental and climate challenges, bridging the digital divide, promoting energy transition, and ensuring global cooperation under a broader framework of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
He outlined the key priorities identified by South Africa for its G20 Presidency.
“South Africa has identified four key priority areas: strengthening disaster resilience and response; debt sustainability for low-income countries; mobilizing finance for a just energy transition; and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development,” he said.
“The three plenary sessions of the Leaders’ Summit will address these priority areas on November 22 and 23,” he added. (ANI)
About The Author
