Dr. Dion George, Minister of Forestry and Fisheries, is heading the 20 (G20) Environmental and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) group this week as part of South Africa’s presidency.
“The results of this first virtual G20 ECSWG conference are expected to provide a strategic direction and common understanding of G20 member states regarding key environmental and climate change priorities and deliverables,” it said on Sunday.
Ministers, taking place under the theme of “solidarity, equality and sustainability,” are expected to hold a meeting on Tuesday by setting up the scene for South African President of the G20 ECSWG, to discuss five priorities and deliverables and present the proposed work plan for the G20 ECSWG in 2025.
The priority areas of the South African presidency of the G20 ECSWG include:
Biodiversity and Conservation – Implementing the global biodiversity framework and the biodiversity economy. Land degradation, desertification, drought – Land degradation neutral targets. Chemicals and Waste Management – Sustainable Chemicals Management. Circulation economy; Waste energy; Extended producer responsibility (EPR) implementation. Climate change and air quality – just transition. Loss and Damage; Indications including Climate Resilient Development (CRD). Climate funding and air quality; Ocean and coastal management – Marine spatial planning – Marine governance. Fighting marine plastic pollution.
The G20 ECSWG aims to strengthen cooperation between all G20 members and invited guests to address environmental and climate change priorities.
The G20 is made up of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Churkier, the United Kingdom, the United States and two regional unions, as well as the European Union and the African Union.
The G20 members represent about two-thirds of the world’s population, about 85% of the world’s GDP and more than 75% of global trade.
The platform is considered a major forum for international economic cooperation and plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
The G20 South African presidency began on December 1, 2024 and continues until November 30, 2025.
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The presidency will be built on the achievements of India (2023 Presidency) and Brazil (2024 Presidency) to ensure continuity in advancing the developmental agenda within the G20.
“The G20 presidency in South Africa provides a unique opportunity to defend the aspirations of an emerging market economy and lead the developmental agenda of the continent within the framework of the G20.”
A total of three G20 ECSWG meetings and one ECSWG Ministerial Conference will be held in South Africa, with the first virtual meeting scheduled to take place from March 25th to 28th, 2025. The second meeting at Kruger National Park will be held from July 14th to 18th, 2025, and the final meeting at Cape Town in October 2025.
The Ministerial Conference will be held in succession in October 2025 at the third ECSWG meeting.
The department will also develop outreach and recognition activities in the accumulation of three G20 ECSWG conferences across the country to amplify the message of the focus area of the G20 ECSWG.
“The department will be leveraging South Africa’s G20 presidency to showcase the Kruger-Kirstenbosch-Isimangalico Icon Statuation (KISS). Some of the meetings and activities will be held at these iconic world-class sites and will showcase them on the global stage,” the minister said.
