UK envoy praises SA for steering historic G20 Summit: 'It was a very successful occasion'

The British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, has described the first G20 summit held on African soil as a 'historic occasion', praising South Africa for successfully steering more than 130 meetings throughout the year.

“It was a very successful and significant occasion.”

Phillipson noted that the summit allowed African priorities to take centre stage and earned broad consensus among participating nations.

He said the absence of the United States at the leaders’ summit did not undermine the outcome, stressing that implementation of commitments happens through global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), where the US and other G7 nations remain key players.

“The leaders who did gather agreed to the declaration, addressing the big global issues of the day, whether climate or health, inequality and driving trade liberalisation to create jobs and economic prosperity.”

Phillipson emphasised that the focus should now shift to turning political commitments into tangible results.

Responding to concerns about past failures to follow through on global pledges, Phillipson acknowledged the criticism but urged countries to 'accept the challenge' and ensure progress, especially ahead of the UK’s G7 presidency in 2027.

"I think we should take on that challenge, and let's do what we need to do as we go forward."

To listen to Phillipson in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click below: