South Africa's President Takes up the G20's Presidency from Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva.

South Africa has made history by becoming the first African nation to assume the presidency of the G20, a significant coalition of the world's largest economies. During the G20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva officially transferred leadership to Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, on Tuesday. In his inaugural address, President Ramaphosa committed to prioritizing the development of Africa and the interests of the Global South throughout his presidency. "We will seize this opportunity to firmly place the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South on the G20 agenda," Ramaphosa stated. He identified three primary areas of focus for South Africa's presidency: fostering inclusive economic growth, tackling food security, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to promote sustainable development. Ramaphosa expressed his determination to pursue enhanced global economic growth while ensuring that no individual is marginalized in the process. Currently, South Africa stands as the sole African member of the G20, which encompasses the world's largest economies. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union, with Spain holding a permanent guest status. Key member nations include prominent economies such as the United States, China, Germany, and India. As the inaugural African leader of the G20, South Africa seeks to advocate for issues related to industrialization, employment, and the reduction of inequality, while also facilitating discussions on pressing global challenges. "As South Africa, we commit to advancing the G20's efforts towards achieving enhanced global economic growth and sustainable development. We will strive to ensure that no one is left behind," Ramaphosa concluded. On Tuesday, leaders from the world's 20 major economies convened once more, following a lighter agenda after the issuance of a joint declaration the previous night. This document, which calls for a global agreement to address hunger, increased aid for Gaza, and the cessation of the war in Ukraine, was characterized by broad statements rather than specific actions. The collective statement received support from the group members; however, it did not achieve total consensus. Additionally, it advocated for the implementation of a future global tax on billionaires and proposed reforms aimed at the potential enlargement of the U.N. Security Council beyond its current five permanent members.