South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Group of 20 bloc has sufficient “shock absorbers” to function effectively if a Donald Trump administration promotes an America First policy at the expense of international cooperation.

South Africa's G20 presidency next year will focus on mobilising finance for nations stricken by climate-induced disasters and extending debt relief for developing countries, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.

The original G20 agenda was developed in 1999 by policymakers from the US, Canada, and Germany, and it prioritised sovereign debt sustainability and global financial stability.

South Africa has taken over the presidency of the world’s premier economic forum, the G20, from Brazil. The G20 presidency operates on a troika system made up of the current, previous and next holders.

South Africa will assume the presidency of the G20, a pivotal moment in the African country’s international diplomatic efforts. The Group of Twenty (G20), is an intergovernmental economic forum comprising 19 countries and two regional unions – the European Union (EU),

The focus would also be on Africa’s high debt levels, financing the just energy transition and the strategic use of critical minerals

South Africa has officially taken the reins of the G20 Presidency, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined some of the country’s key priorities.

South Africa will support Nigeria in becoming a member of the G20, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday during the official launch of his country’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town. This is the first time that an African country will lead a group of powerful nations on a yearly rotational basis.