Africa’s Defining Moment for Global Leadership

This is according to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, who was delivering remarks during the opening of the second G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday.

“South Africa’s very proud to host the G20 for the first time on African soil. It’s a defining moment for South Africa and for the rest of the continent because the G20 nations represent 85% of the globally economy, 75% of international trade and 67% of the world’s population.

“In partnership with the African Union, we will provide a vital voice in global discussions, especially concerning issues affecting developing nations on the continent. Now, we do not take this responsibility lightly because we need to highlight Africa’s developmental agenda and promote equity in global governance,” she said.

De Lille highlighted that South Africa’s theme for its Presidency – Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability – is aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into the global powerhouse of the future.

“South Africa’s G20 Presidency highlights our commitment to tourism, innovation, investment and also enhancing air connectivity and developing inclusive and sustainable tourism practises.

“So far and for the rest of the year, we will be hosting more than 130 G20 related meetings across our country, providing unparalleled opportunities to showcase our country, our venues, our facilities, [and the] business collaboration because all of this in the end contributes to job creation and also driving investment.

“This G20 Summit, to us, is more than just an event. It is a statement… that Africa is ready to take its rightful place in the global economic leadership. It also demonstrates our proven ability to host safe, world-class events on this scale in our country,” the Minister said.

Tourism Working Group

The Minister reminded meeting delegates of the key deliverables for the working group during their deliberations.

These include:

• People-centered artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs;
• Tourism financing and investment to enhance equality and promote sustainable development;
• Air connectivity for seamless travel, and
• Enhanced resilience for inclusive and sustainable tourism development.

“The Tourism Working Group also serves as a forum for the grow and development of sustainable tourism by promoting dialogue, and exchange of knowledge and best practice amongst the G20 members. Let us learn from each other.

“There’s not always a need to reinvent the wheel. Let us look at the tried and tested methods, solutions and experience that we find amongst the G20 Member States because sometimes we tend to do things, starting anew. Let us learn from those best practices.

“And so, as the G20 Tourism Working Group, we must deliver on an action plan. I really look forward to your in-depth discussions for the work of the G20 to reach consensus on what needs to be done and what we need to achieve,” she said.

In September this year, South Africa will host the G20 Ministers’ Meeting.

De Lille said one of the main objectives of the meeting will be to discuss how to position tourism as a driver of economic, social and environmental change.

“[The meeting will also] explore the potential for tourism and travel to support the economic recovery of many countries as well as long-term transformation to a green economy.

“We must also better articulate and communicate the economic and developmental case for tourism, and [lift] the mainstream travel and tourism sector voice in the global agenda by building a more effective voice for the sector.

“We must also mobilise a collective effort amongst us to build a sensible tourism policy framework that will help influence country level and international, economic and development policies,” she said.

The Minister urged the delegates to come up with solutions that will propel the sector.

“When we meet again later in September, I really want us to not only say that this is the first time that we are hosting the G20 on African soil. I want us also to say and acknowledge that having had the event here, that we were able to come up with solutions that are moving the tourism sector forward,” De Lille said. – SAnews.gov.za