South Africa’s Minister Ronald Lamola leads the national delegation at the UN Financing Summit in Spain, championing debt relief and global financial reform for developing nations. Image: eNCA.
(The Post News)– South Africa is taking a stance in leading a role in global efforts to secure debt relief and financial reform at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, currently underway in Seville, Spain. The summit occurs from June 30 to July 3, 2025, and is responsible for bringing world leaders, financial institutions, and development experts together to resolve urgent global economic challenges.
Representing the South African delegation is Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, who was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to be a voice of the country amid recent political developments at home. “President Ramaphosa has delegated Minister Lamola as the head of delegation for the summit following recent political developments that require close monitoring and management in the country,” said presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
The summit will be co-hosted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The summit focuses on strengthening the global financial system and accelerating progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A key feature of South Africa’s participation is a high-level side event titled “Forging a Common Agenda to Achieve Debt Sustainability in Development Economies.” The meeting aims to build mutual understanding on practical solutions to constant debt and liquidity challenges facing low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa.
Magwenya emphasized that Through collaboration and cooperation, South Africa aims to establish long-term solutions to address large structural deficits, liquidity issues, and debt relief for developing economies—issues that disproportionately impact African countries.
The private event will include key stakeholders from global debt initiatives, financial institutions, and multilateral organizations to identify synergies and elevate the voices of the Global South in global financial reform dialogues. Minister Lamola is joined by Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa, Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo, and other senior government officials. As global financial systems come under increased scrutiny, South Africa’s leadership at the Seville summit signals a clear call for equity, accountability, and urgent transformation on behalf of the developing world.
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