PM ANWAR ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA TO ATTEND G20 LEADERS' SUMMIT

From M.Saraswathi

PRETORIA, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in South Africa at 6.38 pm local time on Thursday (Friday, 12.38 am Malaysia time) to attend the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit. 

The plane carrying Anwar and the delegation landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria and was received by Malaysia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Datuk Yubazlan Yusof, and South Africa’s Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Major-General (R) Bantubonke “Bantu” Harrington Holomisa and Department of International Relations and Cooperation chief director for East Asia and Oceania Thandiwe Fadane.

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Pretoria serves as the administrative capital of South Africa.

The Prime Minister’s entourage departs from there en route to Johannesburg, a journey that typically takes approximately one hour.

The four-day working visit from Nov 20-23 to South Africa is to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg as a guest of the South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

The invitation to the summit, which runs from Nov 22-23, was extended to Anwar in Malaysia’s capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2025.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, presents a timely opportunity for a developing nation to steer the global agenda.

The visit also strategically reinforces Malaysia’s historical ties with South Africa while using the G20 as a high-level catalyst to champion the Global South agenda on the world stage.

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union and the European Union.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Zaliha Mustafa, Malaysian government officials, as well as a business delegation.

The Prime Minister will deliver Malaysia’s statement during Session 1, titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind: Building Our Economies; the Role of Trade; Financing for Development; and the Debt Burden”, which will be held on the morning of Nov 22.

In addition, he will also deliver Malaysia’s statement in Session 2, titled “A Resilient World - the G20’s Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems”, in the afternoon.

Following his address in Session 2, Anwar will attend the G20 Leaders’ Dinner hosted by South African President Ramaphosa at the NASREC Expo Centre.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the South African President on the second day of the working visit.

Besides participating in the G20-related meetings, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to engage with South African Muslim leaders and attend a business forum with South African captains of industry.

Anwar will also meet the Malaysian diaspora here. 

The Prime Minister is also slated to meet with Botswana’s Vice-President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe.

The Prime Minister will also be interviewed by Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, a university lecturer, podcaster, and activist, discussing topics such as Malaysia-South Africa relations, Malaysia’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, Malaysia’s aspiration to become a full BRICS member, and global governance reform.

On the final day of the visit, the Prime Minister will attend Session 3 of the G20 Summit, titled “A Fair and Just Future for All -- Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence”.

Anwar and the delegation will then travel to Nairobi, Kenya, for an official visit, which will be the last stop before they head home.

-- BERNAMA