Question NW315 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Reply:

a. BUDGET (ONLY FOR G20 LEADERS’SUMMIT)

The proposed projected total budget for the upcoming G20 Leader’s Summit is R194 015 805.60. This amount only speaks to the hosting of the Leader’s Summit and is pending approval from National Treasury.

Item Description	Amount
Accommodation	R32 058 033.60
Ground Transport	R24 637 500.00
Domestic Air transport	R12 302 400.00
Venues, Facilities, Interpreters & Catering	R103 750 000.00
Support Services from Stakeholders Department	R4 266 500.00
Support Staff and Compensation (DIRCO)	R14 001 372.00
Total Amount (incl. 10% incidental charges)	R194 015 372 .00

BUDGET (ALL MEETINGS FOR WHICH DIRCO IS RESPONSIBLE)

The proposed estimated cost to host G20 Sherpa Track meetings by Dirco, from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, as well as the Summit amounts to R497 027 483.23. This amount covers all meetings under the purview of the department (DIRCO) and is pending approval from National Treasury.

Item Description	Amount
1st – 4th Sherpas Meetings
1st Foreign Minister’s Meeting
2nd Foreign Minister’s Meeting
Leader’s Summit
Total Amount (incl. 10% incidental charges)	R497 027 483.23

b. Progress Report on preparations for South Africa’s G20 Presidency

South Africa will assume the rotational presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20), on 1 December 2024, immediately after the Leaders’ Summit, which Brazil will host on 18-19 November 2024. The Presidency of the G20 requires a whole of Government approach. Currently, processes are underway to establish a G20 secretariat encompassing representation across various National Departments. The Sherpa Track, led by DIRCO, has established a secretariat structure within DIRCO that covers the substantive, administrative and logistical areas in preparation for SA’s presidency.

DIRCO has also hosted and continues to host Workshops with various knowledge partners; United Nations Economic Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), International Economic Partnership (IEP), University of Pretoria and South Africa’s Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA), with a view to help refine its priorities.

There is ongoing consultation with and outreach to the G20 Engagement groups and civil society.

A Cabinet Memo outlining South Africa’s priorities and key deliverables for the G20 Presidency in line with the IMC approved theme has been considered by Cabinet on 7 August 2024. The Cabinet also considered the Calendar of Meetings and proposals for the venues (JHB, CT and DBN) for the various Ministerial Meetings and the Leader’s Summit, including budgetary implications.

The South African Government will soon embark on following activities:

• • Finalization and launch of proposed G20 Logo and followed by vigorous marketing campaign.
  • Provincial Outreach Programmes – engagements with communities, universities, local media etc. Protocol & Etiquette Training.
  • Engagements with G20 Embassies and International Organisations in Pretoria and South African Embassies in G20 Countries
  • Meetings with G20 Engagements Groups (B20, Y20, C20, L20, W20, T20 etc)
  • Regular Inter-Departmental Technical Senior Officials Team and Inter-Ministerial Committee Meetings
  • Media Engagements/Op-eds/Articles etc, development of Communications, Security Strategies etc.
  • G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (hosted by Brazil), on the margins of the UNGA79 High Level Week in New York
  • G20 Sherpa Meeting (12-16 November) and G20 Summit (18-19 November) in Rio de Janeiro

The first meetings to be hosted by South Africa under its Presidency will be held at DIRCO as follows:

• • • 1^st Sherpa Meeting (9-10 December 2024)
    • 1^st Joint Sherpa Meeting – Finance &Central Bank Deputies Meeting (10 December 2024)
    • 1^st Finance and Central Banks Deputies Meeting (11-12 December 2024)

There is a proposal to host approximately 130 meetings (both virtual and in-person) from 1 Dec 2024-30 Nov 2025. Venues for Technical, Ministerial and Leader’s Summit are still under consideration. An analysis, taking into account security considerations, availability of accommodation and transport, airport facilities etc have been conducted on Cape Town, Johannesburg and eThekwini to assess the capacity of each city to host the Leaders’ Summit in 2025. The final decision on the hosting of the Summit and the declaration of the G20 Capital city will be made by the next meeting of the IMC.

Provinces and cities would be expected to carry the costs of G20 side events taking place throughout the country. It is critical for the Provinces to have the full support and cooperation of the public in general, but also local role-players and service providers, particularly in the security, transport (renting of vehicles, public roads, rail, air), tourism, accommodation and hospitality industries.

In terms of the Protocol and Logistical preparations, an Inter-Departmental Logistical Committee (IDLC) has been constituted under the stewardship of the Chief of State Protocol. The purpose of the IDLC in the preparation for G20 is to ensure synergy in the collective planning for events, provide guidance on appropriate courtesies to be accorded to visiting dignitaries, provide guidance on the suitability of venues, transport and accommodation in accordance with approved policies and international best practices. The planning processes will be based on experiences gained during the planning and coordination and planning for major events hosted in the RSA (BRICS Summits and 2010 FIFA World Cup). The Protocol Sub-Committee will develop and implement a “shared protocol services” concept involving relevant National, Provincial and Local Government stakeholders/Committees.

The proposed date for the Leader’s Summit under South Africa’s Presidency is set for 27-28 November 2025 following consideration of International Calendar for 2025.

 

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME: MR THAPELO MATSA

CONTACT: 012 351 10440

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Minister approves and signs the Parliamentary Reply to Parliamentary Question 315.

 

MR Z DANGOR

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 315 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

MR RO LAMOLA, MP

MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

DATE:

Additional Information