Johannesburg, March 13, 2025 – South Africa is set to host the first G20 Trade and Investment Working Group (TIWG) meeting under its presidency from March 18 to March 20, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) confirmed on Wednesday.
Having officially assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, South Africa is leading the forum under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” This virtual meeting marks the beginning of a series of high-level engagements that will shape global trade and investment policies throughout the year.
A Platform for Global Trade and Investment Dialogue
The TIWG meeting will bring together senior trade and investment officials from G20 member countries, along with representatives from the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). In addition, key international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and regional African economic communities will participate.
According to Ambassador Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter, Deputy Director-General of Trade at the DTIC, this meeting is the first of four planned TIWG sessions leading up to the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in October 2025, which South Africa will host.
Key Focus Areas for the TIWG
Mlumbi-Peter outlined four critical priorities for the working group:
- Trade and Inclusive Growth – Developing principles to promote equitable trade practices, ensuring that vulnerable economies are not disproportionately affected by globalization.
- Responsive Trade and Investment Agenda – Addressing challenges in global trade and investment, with a focus on ensuring sustainability and resilience.
- Green Industrialization and Investments – Encouraging value addition for critical minerals at the source and promoting low-carbon manufacturing value chains to drive global decarbonization and industrial adaptation.
- WTO Reform and Development – Examining ways to modernize the World Trade Organization, making it more inclusive and effective in addressing the needs of both developed and developing nations.
South Africa’s G20 Vision
South Africa’s presidency of the G20 comes at a pivotal moment as global economies navigate challenges related to inequality, climate change, and economic resilience. With G20 members accounting for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population, the forum plays a crucial role in shaping policies that drive sustainable development.
Throughout its presidency, South Africa aims to strengthen global economic cooperation, promote industrialization, boost employment, and reduce inequality. The upcoming TIWG meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for bold trade and investment strategies that will benefit both developed and emerging economies.
This event marks a significant step in positioning South Africa as a key player in global economic governance and setting the agenda for a more inclusive and sustainable global trade landscape.
