The year 2023 will witness a series of international political and economic events that are likely to define the world landscape in the coming year. At the recent 111th African National Congress (ANC) commemoration, the party recommitted to ensuring that South Africa is at the forefront for a better world and a better Africa.
First on the agenda is the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. The annual gathering comes as multiple crises deepen divisions and fragment the geopolitical landscape. World Economic Forum Executive Director Klaus Schwab urged world leaders to address the needs of people while laying the foundations for a more sustainable and resilient world.
“Here we are, at the beginning of the year, new year, looking towards our future characterized by multiple unprecedented crises. and worse still, these economic, environmental, social and geopolitical crises are becoming and contradicting each other, creating an extremely versatile and uncertain future. So it comes as no surprise that, by and large, we are all stuck in a crisis mentality.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a delegation that includes several ministers and captains of industry. International Relations Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor says the president will lead the promotion of South Africa as a preferred investment destination.
“There are many friends who will be at WEF. It is the first major post-Covid conference. It is an opportunity to engage with the world. I think we have to say that South Africa is open for business and to revive our economies. We are in a difficult geopolitical context, as South Africans we must emphasize that through negotiations we must advocate for peace.”
AU Summit
In February, there will be an African Union summit in Ethiopia that will discuss critical issues facing the continent. A new president will also be elected and Comoros will take office on behalf of East Africa.
Meanwhile, South Africa is the current BRICS president and President Ramaphosa says the summit will take place on our shores.
“The BRICS play an important role in our foreign policy architecture, we hold them in high esteem, as members of the international community. We are part of the United Nations and the African Union. We are with the big countries like Russia, Brazil, India and China. As a small country, it’s a big boost and we treat it with pride. As a pan-African organization, we want to promote the interest of our continent and we will reach out and invite other countries on the continent and the BRICS should develop our continent.”
G20 Summit
Other major international events include the G20 Summit, which is currently chaired by India. South Africa will assume the presidency of the G20 in 2025.
There will also be regional meetings such as the SADC meeting at a time when the situation is deteriorating in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and an update is needed on the SADC mission deployed in northern Mozambique. to combat terrorism and extremism in the Cabo Delgado province.
South African Diplomatic Outlook for 2023:
