Skukuza: Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, has called on G20 nations to demonstrate bold leadership and shared accountability in addressing the world’s most pressing development challenges. Ramokgopa has emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable financing.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister addressed the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting at Skukuza Lodge, in the Kruger National Park, which wraps up today. The working group meetings, hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, brought together G20 member states, invited countries, and international organisations to discuss key development priorities.

These priorities include the need to tackle illicit financial flows, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, advance inclusive social protection systems, and align development finance with the Sustainable Development Goals. Ramokgopa underscored the urgent need to address illicit financial flows, describing them as a threat to financial stability and a barrier to development.

The Minister stated that illicit financial flows undermine public trust, drain essential resources, and destabilise economies. She urged global cooperation on automatic data sharing, beneficial ownership transparency, and digital identity tracking to finance sustainable futures.

Ramokgopa also emphasised that social protection should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a core pillar of sustainable development contributing to economic growth, societal cohesion, and gender equity.

The Development Working Group meetings were a culmination of negotiations working toward the ministerial declarations that were handed over for the Ministerial Meeting. There was an introduction to the G20 USA Presidency, and the meeting was closed with a tribute to the delegation whose hard work and determination were instrumental in shaping a progressive and unified outcome.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency continues to prioritise inclusive dialogue and bold action in driving global progress through sustainable development, justice, and financial reform.