Keynote address by Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile, United Nations University, Japan

Programme Director, 

UNU Rector and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala;

Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms Arfiya Eri;

Our Panelists, Cabinet Ministers of South Africa;
Deputy Ministers;

Charge d'Affaires and interim, Embassy Head of the Republic of South Africa in Japan, Ms Annelize Schroeder;

Scholars and Academics present;

Members of the United Nations University;

Distinguished Guests;

It is a great honour to stand before you today as the Deputy President of South Africa, reflecting on South Africa's G20 Presidency under the theme of "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability".

Before we delve into today’s subject, let me take a moment to appreciate the diplomatic relations we have established with Japan over the years. The two countries upgraded their relations to a Strategic Cooperation Partnership in 2010. This year, the two countries celebrate a significant milestone of 115 years of relations.

These ties have particularly flourished in the fields of trade and investment, science and technology, and education and skills development assistance. Japan is a significant investor in the South African economy, with 273 firms operating in the country, hence sustaining over 200 000 local employment opportunities for many South Africans.

Earlier today I had fruitful engagements with the Prime Minister as well as with the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan. These meetings are a sign of the significant people, and trade relations between our two sister countries.

I also had an opportunity to experience the culture of the Japanese people through the visit to the Meiji Jingu forest which represents tranquility and appreciation of nature in the development of society. This visit served as a reminder of how the forest and nature more cements the importance of connecting with nature what has been appreciated as Kami.

We have a lot in common as a people, hence we will continue to invest in people-to-people cultural exchange programmes. This is already happening through the number of rugby players that are playing in various teams here in Japan. We are emphasising the importance of people to people because it becomes easier to do business when you know each others' cultures.  

My delegation and I are here in Japan to fortify these partnerships, especially in light of the present geopolitical challenges confronting our nation and the global community.  We want our two nations to collaborate with a particular emphasis on promoting inclusive economic development and ensuring a balance and increase in trade between the two nations.

This has also been one of the priorities of South Africa’s 7th Administration, popularly known as the Government of National Unity (GNU). The formation of the Government of National Unity is a momentous development in South Africa’s democracy.

Our convergence as the GNU has been inspired by a shared purpose across all political formations, which is building a better South Africa that is competitive in the global arena. This coalition is formed to give expression to our culture of collaboration regardless of our differences.

The notion of solidarity is not a new phenomenon in our country. Solidarity is what has earned our country democracy. Through solidarity, we seek to achieve a future that is people-centred, development-orientated and inclusive. 

Since the assumption of the role of the G20 Presidency, as South Africa, we want to make a meaningful contribution to the expressions of the continent through Vision 2063 towards the Africa we want. Such an Africa is one that is more integrated into the global community and acts as a key player in the economy and the socio-political landscape more broadly.

We believe that in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one country have an impact at a global level. Currently, the world is facing severe and relentless challenges that are testing our global humanity and the solidarity between nations that served as the bedrock of the formation of the United Nations 80 years ago.

Several major megatrends are influencing the world, including globalisation, geopolitical instability, climate change, rising nationalism, demographic changes, technology convergence, conflict & war causing further hardship & suffering therefore jeopardising our collective future.

The current outlook for global economic growth remains subdued, and many economies, especially in Africa, carry the burden of unsustainable levels of debt. Across the world, billions of people are affected by underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, and unemployment.

Our G20 Presidency has been beset by tectonic shifts in global affairs. Challenges to multilateralism, while evident for many years, have become a dominant reality that continues to alter global realities and relations fundamentally.

The conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in Sudan, in the Sahel, and in Gaza continue to exert a heavy human toll and heighten global insecurity. 

Deepening conflict and instability across Africa and the world require coordinated preventive action including a dedicated intervention on peace building that is programmatic in nature. 

In this regard we are encouraged by the partnership between the United Nations University (UNU) and the University of South Africa (UNISA) in cooperation with other relevant partner organisations to co-design and co-deliver required capacity building programmes for African leaders and mediators for resolving conflicts and blazing a path towards achieving peace, security and prosperity. 

The timing is imminent and opportune.  There is an urgent need for comprehensive, African-centred peace-building research and training programmes that span throughout Africa to address the urgent demand for capacity for conflict management and resolution, as well as society reconstruction.

In our G20 Presidency, South Africa will continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions. Inclusive dialogue is the foremost guarantor of sustainable peace.

South Africa has shown a firm resolve in its foreign policy by promoting principles of justice, solidarity, equality, peace, and respect, underpinned by its commitment to human dignity and leaving no one behind.

This is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality, sustainability at the centre of its G20 Presidency.

Regarding our intention to place Africa’s development at the top of the agenda, we have identified four priorities for the term of this G20 Presidency.

Our first priority is to strengthen disaster resilience and responses. This is important, as we have recently witnessed natural disasters such as floods across South Africa, affecting both our coastal and inland provinces. Natural disasters cause widespread damage to infrastructure, economic activity interruption, and livelihood destruction, including the unfortunate loss of lives.

The second priority is to ensure debt sustainability for developing economies. The G20 will prioritise debt sustainability for developing economies; address rising sovereign debt levels and servicing costs; demonstrate leadership in addressing global economic imbalances; and fill the funding gap necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The third priority of South Africa's G20 Presidency is to mobilise finance for a just energy transition. South Africa's G20 presidency aims to mobilise financing for a just energy transition by focussing on limiting global temperature increases in an equitable and just manner. The country has pioneered the use of country platforms to coordinate funding through the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

The fourth priority is harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Our hosting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, and the Business 20—provided an opportunity for us to promote South Africa and Africa as a business and investment destination and for the country to take the lead on providing solutions to global economic challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Africa is also making efforts to maintain investor confidence. We are addressing structural obstacles to economic growth; local and international investors are taking a fresh look at South Africa.

We believe that addressing structural concerns is essential to maintaining investor confidence and ensuring long-term economic stability. It is only by accelerating structural reforms and harnessing the power of the private sector that the country can sustain economic momentum and attract further foreign investment.

As the South African government, we are implementing extensive structural, policy, and regulatory reforms to enhance the economy's performance. These include digital migration, managing national water infrastructure, reversing the logistics crisis, restructuring SOEs, and strengthening the state's response to corruption and organised crime.

Through Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury, we aim to modernise network industries like transportation, digital communications, water, and power.

Our country is implementing several reforms to stabilise the country's energy supply, reduce load-shedding risks, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources. Raising the licensing threshold for embedded generation projects will allow companies and power producers to build new projects without applying for a license, as long as they meet grid code requirements. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) will add new generation capacity to the grid over the next two years, primarily through wind and solar power.

Through the water sector reforms, we aim to increase investment in the maintenance and construction of water infrastructure and improve water quality. Strengthening regulations will ensure accountability for water quality and proper pricing for adequate investment in water infrastructure. Establishing a National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency will enable South Africa to expand its bulk water infrastructure and improve the management of existing water assets, ensuring water security over the next decade.

In addition, through the transport sector reforms, we aim to improve the efficiency of South Africa's logistics infrastructure, help grow exports, attract skills, and promote tourism.

We are also implementing the eVisa system and expanding visa waivers to make it easier for international tourists to visit South Africa without needing to apply for a visa through an embassy or consulate. A visa recognition system is also being explored, allowing tourists to enter South Africa if they have a valid visa from a limited number of countries with strong security controls.

Our industrial policy aims to unleash private investment and energise the state to boost economic growth and inclusion. This is an essential part of building investor confidence and the platform for job creation.

Furthermore, South Africa has a wealth of natural resources, with gold being among the most significant minerals. We have vast agricultural land and property assets suitable for real estate development.

Investors should take advantage of this opportunity, as well as the diverse market, which includes our positions in Africa and the African Free Trade Agreement.

Our Government is committed to removing blockages to economic growth and lifting economic expansion to above three percent (3%) in the medium term and creating a cycle of investment, growth, and jobs.

As the government, we have also made a concerted effort to adapt to a new reality by changing business practices and reviewing policies to keep pace with global trends. Government plans to invest in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Skills (4IR) to revive economic development, revitalise skills, and generate high-quality employment.

In this regard, the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy provides a framework for inclusive collaboration between industry, labour, higher education institutions, and society to develop new skills and capabilities for the nation.

The government is focusing on implementing measures to increase productivity and develop necessary skills for a knowledge and skills-based economy. In the field of academics, we are at a crossroads of tremendous technological growth, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a critical role in creating our future.

As Professor Tshilidzi Marwala remarked in one of his publications, "AI will transform the job market, creating new opportunities while rendering some jobs obsolete. Our challenge is to prepare the workforce for this transition and ensure that no one is left behind."

AI is a transformative force that has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, and transportation. As AI technologies develop rapidly, it is crucial to navigate this vast landscape with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and responsibility, ensuring no one is left behind.

As the G20 Presidency has shifted to South Africa, AI has emerged as a key area of focus, with UNESCO as a privileged partner. Through this G20 Presidency, we aim to harness AI for a medium to advance the Sustainable Development Goals agenda and address global challenges.

We encourage the United Nations University to work alongside Africa in the development of AI, which has the potential to considerably boost the continent's economies. You must cooperate with additional universities in South Africa and throughout Africa to help overcome digital barriers, promote equality, and support inclusive sustainable development.

African governments are also recognising the importance of the digital economy, which is heavily influenced by artificial intelligence. The digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more important drivers of economic and social value creation throughout the world.

We are investing in digital infrastructure, skills development, and entrepreneurship to assist Africa's digital economy to expand.

With increased access to mobile technology and the internet throughout the continent, there is a burgeoning ecosystem of start-ups, entrepreneurs, and tech businesses pushing digital transformation in industries like finance, e-commerce, healthcare, and agriculture.

While AI has enormous promise and potential, it also presents crucial ethical, societal, and economic concerns that need careful examination. As we use AI to fuel innovation and advancement, we must be attentive in tackling challenges such as data privacy and the effect of automation on jobs.

As Prof. Marwala observed, "Ethical considerations in AI are not optional; they are fundamental. We must embed ethical thinking into the development and deployment of AI technologies."

Professor Marwala's perspectives highlight the transformative potential of AI across various sectors and the importance of ethical considerations.

Ladies and gentlemen, the United Nations University in Japan is a hub of knowledge and innovation, fostering a convergent group of bright minds to explore AI's potential for humanity's betterment. Once more, I urge the university to partner with African organisations on a journey of discovery and innovation that will shape humanity's future for generations to come.

As I conclude, let me emphasise that our challenges can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration, and partnership; no challenge and no triumph exist in isolation. Cooperation is our greatest strength and our most powerful weapon.

Under the guiding principle of Ubuntu—the profound belief that ‘I am because you are’ – we are reminded of the interconnectedness of humanity. It is this principle of Ubuntu that underpins South Africa’s leadership and vision for our G20 Presidency, and our future.

South Africa is dedicated to cultivating mutual understanding and collaboration across countries, establishing a feeling of oneness that transcends boundaries and differences.

As we continue this conversation with our panel of ministers today, we should remember that true progress is achieved not through words alone but through meaningful action and collaboration.

We should be deliberate in our conversation and find more meaningful ways to strengthen our relations, both in trade, and investment. Let us work hand in hand towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

Arigatō Gozaimasu, Thank you.