South Africa will utilise its G20 Presidency to address three strategic national priorities while maintaining focus on continental and international goals, says Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister Ms Pinky Kekana.
The Deputy Minister spoke at the launch of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD Africa Governance Platform, held recently in Milan, Italy.
South Africa will hold the G20 Presidency from December 2024 to November 2025.
According to Deputy Minister Kekana, the three strategic priorities of the South African Government of National Unity’s 7th Administration during its G20 Presidency are: reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; building a capable, ethical, and developmental state; and driving inclusive growth and job creation.
“South Africa seeks to use its G20 Presidency optimally to highlight and address its national priorities without losing sight of its continental and international commitments.
At a continental level, President Ramaphosa indicated during the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA) that, ‘We will place Africa’s development at the top of the agenda when we host the G20 in 2025.”
“President Ramaphosa also emphasized that the South African Presidency of the G20 will focus on the developmental agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.
Deputy Minister Kekana commended the OECD for establishing the OECD Africa Governance Platform, noting that it aligns with the South African government’s mandate for institution-building and public governance programs.
“I’m certain that the launch of the OECD Africa Governance Platform comes at an opportune time to serve as an anchor platform for realizing the Continental Agenda 2023 aspirations of the ‘Africa We Want’, especially from the perspective of good governance and strengthening public institutions to enhance strong democracies,” she stated, adding that the Ministry for Public Service and Administration in South Africa is ready and willing to support the OECD Africa Governance Platform in its role.
About the OECD
Established in 1961, the OECD is an international organization comprising 38 member countries and a range of partners collaborating on key global issues at national, regional, and local levels.
The organisation aims to drive and anchor reform in over 100 countries worldwide through collective experience and shared values.
It works to build better policies for better lives by collaborating closely with policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens to establish evidence-based international standards that address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
The OECD serves as a unique forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis, and best practices in public policy, with the core aim of providing advice on international standard-setting and assisting countries in forging stronger, fairer, and cleaner societies.
Its focal areas are wide-ranging and include education, health, fiscal affairs, financial markets, trade, tourism, fisheries, economic policy, energy, and development.
The work is pursued through approximately 300 committees, working groups, and expert groups, with oversight and strategic guidance provided by the Council at the ministerial level.
The OECD Secretariat drives the development of technical proposals and analyses.
