Deputy Director-General: Global Governance and Continental Agenda, Xolisa Mabhongo, alongside the Ambassador of Norway to South Africa, Anne Beathe Kristiansen, and Norway’s G20 Sherpa, Henrik Harboe, convened strategic discussions aimed at advancing the key outcomes of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The engagement took place on the margins of the second meeting of the Founding Committee of the International Panel of Inequality (IPI), a significant initiative recommended by the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Inequality. The committee was established under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, reinforcing the country’s commitment to addressing global inequality and fostering inclusive development.
Advancing G20 Legacy Projects
The meeting provided a platform for both countries to exchange views on the operationalisation of the IPI and to advance several G20 legacy projects of shared interest. These include the Ubuntu Commission on Global Public Goods, the High-Level Principles for combatting Illicit Financial Flows, the AI for Africa initiative, and the Ubuntu Principles on Food Security, Nutrition and Price Volatility.
These initiatives reflect South Africa’s strategic vision to leverage its G20 Presidency to drive impactful, long-term solutions to global challenges, particularly those affecting the Global South.
Cooperation on Global Challenges
Discussions also extended to broader regional and multilateral priorities. Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on pressing global issues such as the sovereign debt crisis, reform of the global political, financial and health architecture, and the advancement of the United Nations Tax Convention.
Further areas of collaboration include sustainable development, peace and security, energy transitions, and climate finance—key pillars in achieving equitable and resilient global growth.
The meeting also explored potential synergies between South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 and that of the United Kingdom in 2027, signalling a forward-looking approach to continuity and impact within the G20 framework.
Norway’s Africa Strategy and Strengthened Partnerships
Ambassador Kristiansen briefed the South African delegation on the key pillars of Norway’s Africa Strategy, highlighting opportunities for deeper bilateral and multilateral engagement across the continent.
This exchange underscores the growing partnership between South Africa and Norway, particularly in advancing shared priorities such as development cooperation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
Invitation to Nuclear Disarmament Conference
In a further demonstration of South Africa’s leadership in global governance, Ambassador Mabhongo extended an invitation to Norway to participate as an observer at the first Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. South Africa will chair this landmark conference, scheduled to take place in New York in November and December 2026.
Strengthening Multilateralism Through Strategic Partnerships
The engagement between South Africa and Norway highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing multilateralism and addressing complex global challenges. As South Africa prepares for its G20 Presidency, such collaborations are set to play a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable global future.
