President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday celebrated the success of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, saying while “some” sought to create division and polarisation between nations, governments have reinforced their shared humanity.

Last week, South Africa hosted leaders from around the world for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, with US President Donald Trump choosing to boycott the Summit, claiming that South Africa’s white minority were victims of large-scale killings and land grabs.

Ramaphosa said the country leaders that attended the Summit fostered collaboration and goodwill.

“Above all, we have affirmed that our shared goals outweigh our differences. We have prioritised issues that are important for advancing more rapid and inclusive growth in our own country. We reached agreements that will benefit every South African,” he said.

Despite the US’s boycott, the leaders adopted a declaration addressing climate change, disaster and a new approach to critical minerals.

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that a clear commitment from the international community to address the high levels of debt on infrastructure, health and education was secured.

“We placed this issue firmly on the agenda to increase investment on the continent and seize the unique opportunity that Africa presents,” he stated.

The G20 leaders also agreed on the need for increased global investment for climate action.

Ramaphosa said this would be crucial for South Africa as it undertook a just energy transition to a low carbon economy in a way that protected workers, businesses and communities. 

“As the G20, we have agreed on the need for scaled up disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction to address the rising impact of extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. We raised this issue because a few areas in our country, particularly the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, frequently experience disasters,” he highlighted.

Ramaphosa said government secured international agreement on a new approach to critical minerals, making them a source of prosperity and sustainable development in the countries that produced them. 

“This supports our own ambition to use our extensive endowment of minerals to become a leading global player, while ensuring that beneficiation takes place in South Africa and creates jobs in mining areas,” he explained.

Ramaphosa said the G20 Summit had given new prominence to engagement groups from across global society, bringing together sectors such as business, labour, parliaments, scientists, think tanks, women, young people, start-ups, civil society, mayors and the media.

“We can be proud of what South Africa has achieved in hosting a successful G20 Presidency and guiding countries towards agreement on complex and important issues. This has been the historic effort to which all South Africans have contributed,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the success of the G20 Leader’s Summit, and South Africa’s improving performance in the economy and “growing confidence” in reform programmes, showed that South Africa was “a country on the rise”.