South African leader heads to Argentina for G20 summit

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday led a South African delegation to Buenos Aires in Argentina, where he will attend his first G20 summit as head of state.

“South Africa views the Summit as a platform […] to promote and strengthen interests of the African continent and of the South,” the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.

The two day gathering which starts on Nov. 30, will be attended by leaders of developed and developing economies that collectively account for 85 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

The G20 which was formed in 1999 aims at bringing stability to the global financial system, promote long-term sustainable growth, address international terrorism and discuss peace and security among others.

During the course of his working visit, Ramaphosa is expected to hold bilateral meetings with various heads of states and also chair a meeting of the BRICS countries, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.