Media Statement: International Relations Committee Satisfied With State of Readiness for G20 Summit

Parliament, Wednesday, 17 September 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation today received a presentation from the Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, on South Africa’s state of readiness to host the G20 Summit in November 2025.

The department provided details on the run-up activities and preparations for the G20 Leaders’ Summit and has completed 90 of the 133 official meetings of the G20 calendar of events. The department reported on the successful adoption of the ministerial outcome documents in the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, the Development Working Group and the Employment Working Group. The departmental is currently negotiating the G20 Working Group Ministerial Declarations and outcomes.

Importantly, the department also reported that the United States sherpa team has begun to re-engage with South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the US President has announced that the US Vice-President will represent the President at the Leaders’ Summit in November.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, urged the department to prepare an in-depth report on the benefits of the G20 presidency for South Africa and Africa. The report should include before, during and after the summit scenarios relating to the beneficiation of women, people with disabilities and the youth.

The report should also include the footprint and impact of the G20 presidency in villages, townships and small towns, as these are the areas that most require economic improvement. Furthermore, the report should also include the impact of the G20 presidency in advancing Africa’s perspective on the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Agenda 2063, to create “the Africa we want”.

In addition, the Chairperson urged the department to work with the Gauteng Provincial Government on service delivery challenges, such as the availability of water, functional roads and adequate signage. The department should also work with Airports Company South Africa to achieve the smooth transition of delegations. In addition, visa processing needs to be seamless.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Liaison Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za