SAIIA has supported the G20 DWG for several years and was invited to the DWG secretariat in 2024, in anticipation of South Africa’s G20 presidency.
The Development Ministers successfully adopted the G20 Skukuza Development Ministerial Declaration as well as two calls to action towards inclusive social protection systems, including floors and towards combating illicit financial flows. The DWG also produced a Chair’s Statement on emerging principles for global public goods.
SAIIA’s Chief Executive, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, moderated a side-event on 20 May, which explored how governments can strengthen policy coherence and align policy, finance, and enterprise around sustainable development objectives through a Life Economy strategy, organised by the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD) and the Global Alliance for Life Economies Research and Innovation (GALERI).
She also moderated a high-level panel discussion co-hosted by the African Union Commission and the OECD on 24 July, comprised of ministers responsible for development, including:
- Martin Seychell, INTPA Deputy Director-General of the European Commission,
- Hisashi Matsumoto, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan,
- Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt,
- Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal,
- Anton Leis Garcia, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation,
- Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, Deputy Director General and Managing Director for Strategic Planning, Programming and Policy of the UN Industrial Development Organization,
- Dr Frank Hofmann, Head of Unit for Southern African Countries of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, and
- Mary Beth Goodman, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, opened the DWG meeting and chaired the Development Ministerial Meeting, making critical remarks on South Africa’s development priorities in the context of the G20.
Looking ahead, the G20 DWG will now undertake to modernise the G20 Accountability Framework, a monitoring and evaluation tool for development commitments by the G20, culminating in the 2025 Accountability Report.
