Faith Nyasuguta
Russia has thrown its full support behind South Africa’s G20 presidency, describing Pretoria’s leadership as a crucial moment for amplifying the priorities of the Global South within one of the world’s most influential economic blocs. Speaking during the recent G20 Sherpas meeting in Sun City, Russia’s G20 representative, Svetlana Lukash, praised South Africa for championing inclusive growth, job creation, green industrialization and a stronger voice for African nations at the global table.
“We really praise South Africa for the priorities you brought to the table during the presidency, including economic growth, job creation, green development, and industrialization, primarily for Africa,” Lukash told SABC News. “This brings the voice of the Global South to the global agenda, and that is what G20 really needs.”
The Sherpas meeting, a key preparatory gathering ahead of the main G20 Leaders’ Summit set for Johannesburg later this year, comes at a time of growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. With tensions still high in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world, Lukash stressed that multilateral dialogue remains the only realistic path to preventing deeper global fragmentation.
“Multilateralism is the only thing that can keep the world together today, save the G20 from collapse, save the economy from complete fragmentation, and ensure global growth,” she said. Despite sharp disagreements among member states, she maintained that the G20, which unites developed and developing economies, still has the ability to find common ground and deliver collective action on critical issues.
South Africa’s G20 presidency is the first for an African country, and Pretoria has made clear its intention to prioritize the needs of emerging markets and developing nations. Lukash noted that a run of Global South presidencies in recent years has shifted the forum’s focus, giving space to voices and priorities often overshadowed by the world’s most advanced economies.
Russia’s support for South Africa’s presidency is also strategic. Moscow views the G20 as an important counterweight to what it sees as a Western-dominated international order and sees alignment with the African bloc as a way to strengthen ties with new partners. Lukash reaffirmed Russia’s belief in the United Nations as the ultimate platform for resolving global challenges but described the G20 as an essential “vessel” for steering multilateral dialogue toward consensus.
As the world watches whether this year’s G20 can deliver unity on climate, debt relief, energy security and inclusive growth, South Africa’s presidency – and Russia’s endorsement – signal a moment when the Global South may have its strongest voice yet at the world’s economic top table.
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