President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that in being invited to attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, South Africa’s role as African Union chair and in driving the continent’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been acknowledged.

Ramaphosa will travel to the UK this week to attend the Summit alongside South Korea, Australia and India.

He expects Summit discussions on the global recovery from the pandemic will dominate the agenda, which will included discussions on trade, shared values and climate change.

“Gatherings such as the G7 are important opportunities for South Africa to promote its view of a fairer and more peaceful world. They are also an opportunity to promote our country as a destination in which to invest and do business, as a partner for development, and as an ally in resolving the most pressing social and political issues facing humankind. These gatherings also give us an opportunity to promote our continent as a destination for investment,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa said South Africa would put forth its progress in overcoming the pandemic and the measures taken for a national recovery and added that the Summit would also be an opportunity to seek larger support for a temporary waiver of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property agreement at the World Trade Organization for equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.

He hoped the waiver would allow countries to manufacture their own vaccines and ensure the development of a local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in South Africa and on the continent. 

Ramaphosa acknowledged that while some South Africans may be frustrated at the slow pace of change, the pace of reform was gaining momentum.

“We are making progress in resolving many of our challenges, from corruption to energy shortages to the obstacles that discourage investment. The pace of reform is picking up. We do not take the patience and resilience of the South African people for granted. We acknowledge our shortcomings as a government and are working to remedy them. Optimism is the foundation of progress and hope is the companion of development,” Ramaphosa stated.

He will present to the Summit signs that South Africa is emerging from the economic downturns brought on by the pandemic, including a strengthening currency, trade surplus and growth in mining, financial services and manufacturing.

He said there was also progress being made on greater policy and regulatory certainty in energy and telecommunications.

South Africa, he said, would continue to do its best as a developing economy, despite facing the challenges resulting from the pandemic.

“South Africa can hold its head high among the community of nations because we remain a country that is free and united and determined to succeed. The message I will be taking to the G7 Summit will be one of hope about the prospects for our country’s recovery, and indeed the global recovery,” Ramaphosa said.