Maropene Ramokgopa
By Mpho Moloi
Minister Maropene Ramokgopa, the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, will host the fourth Group of 20 (G20) Development Working Group (DWG) meeting and the G20 Ministerial meeting on development from 20 to 25 July 2025 at Skukuza Lodge in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga.
This key event falls under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which runs from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, and centres on the theme “Solidarity, Sustainability, and Equality“. It will gather G20 member states, invited countries, and international organisations to push forward global development cooperation and ways to fund sustainable growth. The meetings aim to tackle big issues like setting high-level principles for global public goods and investments, finding more money for development, and creating strong social safety nets for everyone.
South Africa’s Groundbreaking G20 Presidency
South Africa is making history as the first African nation to lead the G20, a group that stands for about 85% of the world’s economy, over 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the planet’s people. [38] This presidency gives the country a chance to highlight the needs of the Global South, including Africa, and call for fairer global systems that help everyone. The theme “Solidarity, Sustainability, and Equality“ guides all talks, pushing for teamwork to cut down inequality, build lasting growth, and make sure no one gets left behind.
The main G20 Leaders’ Summit will happen in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November 2025, where heads of state will wrap up the year’s work. [17] But before that, many working group meetings like this one are building the groundwork. South Africa’s focus areas include growing the economy in a way that includes everyone, creating jobs, fixing food security, handling artificial intelligence, ensuring energy supplies, and fighting climate change. [20] These tie into the bigger goal of speeding up the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Details of the Upcoming Meetings in Mpumalanga
The fourth DWG meeting runs from 21 to 23 July 2025, followed by the Ministerial meeting on 24 and 25 July. [1] Held at the peaceful Skukuza Lodge in the famous Kruger National Park, the spot shows South Africa’s promise to blend talks with its rich nature and wildlife. [0] Media can join the opening parts, and interviews with speakers can be set up on the side. [9]
This is not the first big G20 event in the park this month. From 14 to 18 July 2025, the second Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting is also at Skukuza, looking at green issues like protecting the planet and cutting emissions. [10] Hosting these in one place shows how development and the environment link up under the presidency’s theme.
Delegates from the 20 G20 countries – like the US, China, India, and EU members – plus guests from Africa and other developing spots, will join. [34] Groups like the World Bank, UN, and African Union will add their know-how. The aim is to agree on real steps that help poorer countries grow without harming the earth.
Key Agenda Items for Global Progress
The meetings will dig into three main areas to make the world fairer and stronger. [34] First, they’ll set rules for global public goods – things like clean air, health systems, and knowledge that everyone shares – and how to invest in them wisely. Second, finding more cash for development, including better ways to use aid, loans, and taxes. Third, building safety nets so people can bounce back from shocks like job loss, disasters, or health crises.
These build on the DWG’s work to fight illicit financial flows (IFFs), which steal billions from poor countries each year through tricks like fake trade bills. [38] Experts say stronger rules and team-ups between customs, finance watchdogs, and police can stop this and free up money for schools, hospitals, and roads. The group also wants better social protection, like cash grants or insurance, to cut poverty and give dignity to the vulnerable, especially women, youth, and the poor. [35]
With only five years left to hit the SDGs, the financing gap is huge – trillions of rands short. [42] Africa and other developing areas need predictable help to grow. South Africa pushes for fair global rules that build local skills and institutions, not just handouts.
Building on Past DWG Meetings
This fourth meeting follows three others that set the tone. The first, from 20 to 23 January 2025 in Johannesburg, kicked off with strong talks on SDGs, IFFs, and social nets. Minister Ramokgopa opened it, calling for teamwork to make a resilient world.
The second, 14 to 16 April 2025 in Somerset West, Western Cape, was the first DWG on African soil. She urged real action, not just words, to lift the vulnerable. The US showed interest but wanted to join online, which wasn’t possible.
The third, 25 to 27 May 2025 in Zimbali, KwaZulu-Natal, fell on Africa Day. Ramokgopa spoke of Africa’s resolve for fair growth and the G20’s role in hearing the Global South. Talks refined ideas on IFFs, social protection, and finance, ending with a fun cultural braai where delegates danced and shared stories.
Each step has built agreement, leading to this July event where ministers will seal deals.
Why This Matters for South Africa and the World
For South Africa, hosting shows its growing voice in global affairs and push for Africa’s agenda. It’s a chance to fight inequality at home and abroad, drawing on lessons from its own growth path. The presidency also links to bigger goals, like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for a prosperous continent.
Globally, with wars, climate hits, and economic woes, these talks are key to rebuilding trust in teamwork. As Ramokgopa said in May, “Our global community is at a crossroads… our unity can be our greatest strength.” Outcomes could mean more cash for green jobs, better health nets, and fair trade – helping billions live better.
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