President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed renowned economist Professor Mariana Mazzucato as Technical Expert to South Africa’s G20 Presidency and his Special Presidential Representative to Taskforce 1, focusing on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality.
In a statement on Monday, The Presidency said Professor Mazzucato will also contribute to Taskforce 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
She will also support the Sherpa Track on Trade and Investment Working Group, and the Finance Track Sustainable Finance Working Group, and International Financial Architecture Working Group.
Professor Mazzucato is a member of President Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) since 2019, advising on areas such as green industrial strategy, State capacity, and reform of State-owned enterprises.
In 2024, she co-chaired the Group of Experts for Brazil's G20 Task Force for the Global Mobilisation Against Climate Change (TF-CLIMA).
“This appointment underscores South Africa’s commitment to leveraging its leadership in the G20 to shape a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.
“Professor Mazzucato, internationally recognised for her work on rethinking the State, green growth, mission-oriented innovation and public value creation, brings critical expertise to advancing South Africa’s goals on green industrialisation, inclusive growth, and long-term structural transformation,” the Presidency said.
Under President Ramaphosa's leadership and the G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, South Africa aims to lead global discussions on these key issues, advocating for policies that foster resilient economic development, particularly in developing countries.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency is committed to advancing a global economic framework that supports green growth, economic resilience, and social equity.
The year 2025, described by President Ramaphosa, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain as “a pivotal year for multilateralism”, will feature three major global gatherings: the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the Financing for Development Conference in Seville, and COP30 in Belém. – SAnews.gov.za
