The Presiding Officers of Parliament have reiterated that the country’s unique position ensures that African perspectives, priorities, and solutions are fully integrated into the global agenda ahead of the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ (P20) Summit.

National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, were addressing the media on Tuesday, before P20 Summit, to emphasise Parliament’s state of readiness to host global parliamentary leaders.

The P20, as the parliamentary dimension to the G20, provides a platform for Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments from G20 member countries to deliberate on how legislative bodies can contribute to the formulation and implementation of G20 decisions.

Didiza said that they take immense pride in hosting the first-ever P20 Summit on African soil.

“This event marks a historic milestone and a unique opportunity to showcase the continent’s extraordinary potential, its people and economic prospects. The hosting of events of this magnitude reaffirms Parliament’s commitment to positioning South Africa as a rallying point for diplomacy, inclusive development and investment.”

The summit will be held under the theme, “Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.

Didiza said that this theme is especially relevant in today’s climate of global uncertainty.

“With ongoing unrest in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the conflict in Palestine, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and trade tensions such as tariffs and sanctions affecting global economic stability, this Summit provides an important opportunity for parliaments to commit to concrete actions that advance peace, equity and sustainable development,” she said.

Among the key highlights of the programme will be a keynote address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, with Deputy President Paul Mashatile expected to give closing remarks on the last day.

Didiza said that, as is customary, there will be a ceremonial handover of the Presidency at the end to the USA, which will then assume the G20 presidency from 1 December.

The Summit will comprise of four working sessions, which will focus on four critical areas:

• Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Responses – Ensuring readiness, inclusivity, and international cooperation in disaster risk reduction.
• Ensuring Debt Sustainability for Low-income Countries – Advocating for transparency, accountability, and debt relief mechanisms that protect vulnerable economies.
• Mobilising Finance for a Just Energy Transition – Securing funding for climate adaptation and mitigation, while protecting vulnerable communities.
• Harnessing Critical Minerals for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development – Ensuring that mineral wealth benefits local communities, respects human rights, and drives equitable development.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza said during the Media Briefing that the hosting of the #P20 reaffirms @ParliamentofRSA commitment to positioning as a rallying point for diplomacy, inclusive development and investment #P20SouthAfrica 🇿🇦#G20SouthAfrica 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/aan4156Ibn

— P20SouthAfrica (@P20_SouthAfrica) September 30, 2025

Mtshweni-Tsipane added that the South African Parliament seeks an outcome where G20 parliaments unanimously pledge to strengthen legislative and oversight mechanisms. This included ensuring that national laws and budgets are aligned with gender-responsive frameworks to advance women’s empowerment, leadership, and youth participation.

“For Africa, the desired outcomes are clear and transformative. First, we seek a definitive shift in how the world manages debt and disaster. The current framework for debt treatment has failed to deliver timely relief, disproportionately burdening African economies.

“Our collective advocacy will be for urgent reforms to the G20 Common Framework, including automatic suspension of debt servicing during negotiations and expanding its scope to include vulnerable middle-income countries,” she said.

“This is not merely an economic argument; it is a moral imperative to free up fiscal space for climate adaptation, social programmes, and essential development.”

Mtshweni-Tsipane added that Africa demands to be an active player in the green energy revolution, not a passive beneficiary.

“While the continent possesses vast renewable potential, it receives a paltry share of global energy investment. We advocate for the summit’s endorsement of the G20 Global New Energy Investment Pact for Africa. We will call for G20 nations to translate this into concrete action by investing in regional power pools, strengthening local supply chains, and deploying innovative finance to unlock private capital.”

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane announced that President @CyrilRamaphosa is expected to deliver the opening address at the #P20 and the Deputy President @PMashatile will deliver the closing address on the last day#P20SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/F3f1qyFUUv

— P20SouthAfrica (@P20_SouthAfrica) September 30, 2025

She added that it remains important for critical minerals to be a catalyst for inclusive growth, not further exploitation.

“The summit’s focus on harnessing these minerals for sustainable development is welcome. Africa’s goal is to move up the value chain.

“This means enacting legislation that protects community rights, supports local processing and industrialisation, and advocates for partnerships that build a resilient and diversified mineral ecosystem on the continent,” she said.

“The benefits of our natural wealth must be felt by our people through job creation and equitable development.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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