Ramaphosa: Nothing should be allowed to diminish G20 Leaders’ Summit’s value or stature

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially welcomed world leaders to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, saying nothing should be allowed to diminish its value or stature.

As the first G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Africa, Ramaphosa said it carries hope and must reflect the aspirations not only of the continent, but the world.

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Ramaphosa said South Africa has not taken lightly the responsibility it has had over the past year to host the prestigious bloc.

As a founding member of the Group of 20, Ramaphosa said government has sought to ensure that development priorities of the global South and the African continent find permanent expression on the G20 agenda.

“It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict.”

With the United States (US), the incoming hosts of the G20, not represented at Saturday’s gathering, Ramaphosa has thanked those whom he said have worked with South Africa in good faith to produce a worthy outcome document.

“This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened, in fact from this summit we should have a sense that the G20 has been strengthened.”

Leaders are now meeting behind closed doors on key focus areas as they seek to reach a consensus document at the end of this summit.