South Africa's Gauteng Province says ready to host G20

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Gauteng Province is ready to host the Group of 20 (G20) Summit and seize the opportunities presented by the event, said a Gauteng provincial government official on Tuesday.

Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, a member of the Executive Council for Agriculture and Rural Development in Gauteng Province, made the remarks during the G20 provincial launch. She said the province has started hosting working groups of the G20 and is ready to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in November 2025.

"The G20 will be a catalyst for sustainable job creation and economic growth in the province, South Africa and the African continent. We will use the G20 to showcase the tourism and hospitality, the culture of inclusivity, and Ubuntu (humanity). We will use the G20 to end hunger, inequality and drive sustainable growth," said Ramokgopa.

She said they continue to engage civil society, businesses, youth, and people with disabilities about the G20 so that no one is left behind, and they are ready to welcome the visitors. "South Africans are well known for their hospitality in welcoming visitors, and the government is encouraging people to do that like they did during the BRICS Summit."

Asharf Patel, a senior researcher with the think tank Institute for Global Dialogue, noted that the G20 has generated a lot of interest from people from all spheres of life in the G20 countries.

He said South Africans from business, government and civil society must speak with one voice at the G20. "Over 800 abstracts have been received from people from different G20 countries, who are part of the T20 representing the academics and are part of the organizer."

T20 stands for Think 20, which brings together leading think tanks and research institutions worldwide to provide evidence-based policy recommendations to G20 leaders on key global economic issues.

South Africa has assumed the presidency of G20 and will host the G20 Leaders' Summit in November. Gauteng Province is the economic hub of South Africa and is home to more than 15 million people. ■