Deputy President Paul Mashatile has stressed the need for a coordinated approach to peacebuilding and economic resilience.
This as he highlighted that the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, in the Sahel, and in Gaza, continue to exert a heavy human toll while heightening global insecurity.
The Deputy President was speaking at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday.
The UNU, in partnership with the Embassy of South Africa in Japan, is co-hosting a symposium exploring South Africa's G20 Presidency and steps to ensure solidarity, equality and sustainability for all.
Touching on the deepening conflict and instability across Africa and the world, the Deputy President said this requires coordinated preventive action including dedicated intervention on peace building that is programmatic in nature.
“We are encouraged by the partnership between the United Nations University 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 Deputy President explained.
He further emphasised the 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.
G20 Presidency
“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,” he said.
This was the reason South Africa has placed solidarity, equality, sustainability at the centre of its G20 Presidency.
As part of South Africa’s G20 intention to place Africa’s development at the top of the agenda, Mashatile outlined four key priorities which are strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for developing economies, mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for sustainable growth.
“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,” he said.
He emphasised the country’s commitment to driving economic reforms, increasing investor confidence, and enhancing structural efficiencies in energy, water, and transport sectors.
“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,” he said.
AI role in shaping Africa’s economic future
The Deputy President also emphasised the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in shaping Africa’s economic future, calling for greater collaboration between African institutions and international organisations.
Quoting Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, he noted the need for South Africa to embrace AI while also ensuring ethical considerations remain central to its deployment.
He urged institutions like UNU to partner with African universities to foster digital skills development and AI-driven innovation.
As the G20 Presidency has shifted to South Africa, the Deputy President said that AI has emerged as a key area of focus.
Through the G20 Presidency, he said the country aims to harness AI 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,” he said.
Mashatile added that African governments are also recognising the importance of the digital economy, which is heavily influenced by artificial intelligence. He noted that the digital economy and 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,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
