Johannesburg: HE Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Republic of South Africa, Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa, affirmed that the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the G20 Summit adds depth and credibility to global deliberations on the economy, development, and international stability.

According to Qatar News Agency, Her Excellency expressed South Africa's eager anticipation for HH the Amir's participation in the 2025 G20 Summit. This anticipation is rooted in the strong international regard for Qatar's leadership in fostering peace, development, and significant infrastructure initiatives worldwide.

Her Excellency indicated that Qatar has assumed an increasingly significant role in enhancing its infrastructure and addressing peace and security challenges sincerely. She stressed that Qatar's wise leadership in these areas has garnered broad and growing international recognition.

She emphasized that HH the Amir's participation in the G20 Summit will contribute to strengthening regional and international coordination, reinforcing the multilateral framework represented by the G20, and supporting global dialogue efforts aimed at ensuring the effective follow-up of international resolutions. This involvement is expected to help the international community tackle major economic and development issues, particularly those related to infrastructure and the strengthening of multilateral institutions.

On bilateral relations, Her Excellency noted that ties between Qatar and South Africa continue to expand across several sectors, particularly energy, infrastructure, and investment. She praised the robust relationship, describing it as founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to building productive and strategic partnerships.

She highlighted recent official visits by South Africa's Ministers of Electricity and Energy, and of Public Works and Infrastructure to Qatar. The visits focused on enhancing cooperation in the gas and energy sectors and exploring partnership opportunities in infrastructure development. South Africa is keen to deepen cooperation with Qatar in these vital sectors to advance sustainable development and benefit both South Africa and the wider African continent.

Her Excellency mentioned that South Africa, as chair of the AU Presidential Infrastructure Initiative, views cooperation with Qatar as a key pillar in supporting regional growth and driving shared African development goals.

Trade between Qatar and South Africa has been growing steadily, supported by rising diplomatic coordination rooted in mutual trust and shared political and economic priorities.

Her Excellency stressed that the continued exchange of high-level visits between the leadership of the two countries testifies to the robustness and depth of their bilateral relations. Joint cooperation in areas such as the economy, energy, and infrastructure underscores a shared strategic vision focused on advancing sustainable development and strengthening economic security regionally and globally.

She also noted that the Global South, particularly African countries, regards the G20 Summit as a historic opportunity to amplify its collective voice on economic and financial issues that directly impact their societies. South Africa, as summit president, represents the African continent with an ambitious agenda and clearly defined priorities.

These priorities include combating illicit financial flows that deprive African economies of vital resources, promoting transparency, and strengthening financial oversight systems to mobilize resources necessary for sustainable development.

Her Excellency pointed out that the high cost of international debt remains a significant challenge for African nations. South Africa is actively addressing this issue for the continent's benefit, especially under current global economic pressures.

South Africa's G20 presidency is a historic milestone for the African continent, marking the first time an African nation leads this global platform. Her Excellency emphasized that South Africa recognizes the responsibility it carries in advancing the continent's interests within the global economic architecture.

She anticipates that the summit's outcomes and final statements will contribute to greater stability in the global economy, development, and the international financial system.

Concluding her remarks to QNA, HE Minister Ramokgopa expressed South Africa's appreciation for Qatar's pioneering role on the international stage in support of global dialogue and multilateralism. Enhanced cooperation between Qatar and South Africa is expected to serve the interests of both the region and the wider international community.