Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says she has high expectations for Y20 Summit

JOHANNESBURG - Former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that she had high expectations for the Y20 Summit, where hundreds of youth leaders are meeting in Ekurhuleni this week. 

The youth leg of the G20 is meeting for five days in Ekurhuleni, with delegates from the member states expected to discuss climate change, inclusive economic growth, employment and multilateralism.

This is the first time the summit has been hosted in Africa. 

Mlambo-Ngcuka joined the delegates at the opening on Monday.

READ: Youth delegates at the Y20 Summit eager for solutions

She said that as the world faces unprecedented challenges, including heightened geopolitical tensions, young people need to step up to the plate.

"The world is the most divided world we have ever seen. There’s so much death that shouldn’t be taking place that we are seeing, we are seeing economies being wrecked, and you have to help us to rebuild our economies so that we don’t leave you with economies that will not work for you. And we have to address the unemployment we are seeing facing the countries and the effect this will have on young people."