By Ebi Kesiena
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for collaboration to address food and energy security in the world.
On Saturday, Ramaphosa told the G20 summit in India that the global economy was struggling to recover and the world must respond to a number of challenges it is facing.
According to Ramaphosa, there was an urgent need to collaborate in many fronts as the economy tries to recover.
“We continue to face an unsteady global economic recovery. As policy makers, we therefore need to be flexible and respond quickly and appropriately to risk. Multilateral cooperation is critical to addressing food and energy insecurity.
‘‘As African countries, we support a discussion on policy options to address the effects of volatility in food and energy markets,” said Ramaphosa.
He also said there was a need to strengthen global health systems to deal with future pandemics.
Ramaphosa added that he fully backs the decision that the AU must be part of the G20.
“South Africa is a member of the G20 and its participation seeks to provide a strategic foresight in establishing an economic and international policy platform that will drive and negotiate the best possible outcomes for the country, Africa and the developing world,” said the presidency.
The Covid-19 pandemic had forced the world to work together to find a vaccine.
The AU formally joined the G20 following months of heightened speculation that the continental body will be part of the group.
The issue of the AU becoming part of the G20 was also discussed during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last month.
South Africa will host the G20 summit in 2025.
