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Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the Leaders' meeting with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council
Statements and remarks
20 November 2025

First, I would like to congratulate the South African authorities and the Commission for the work that you have been doing since our summit 8 months ago in Cape Town. It is very impressive, the capacity that you show to translate into concrete projects what we have agreed on and our ambitious common partnership.

My second word is to thank President Ramaphosa and South Africa for their very strong global leadership. We are living in a multipolar world, and in this multipolar world, we need to engage and strengthen the relationships between the different poles of this world.

And Africa is a key continent for the future of our world, and of course, South Africa has a leading position on this continent. And the G20 meeting is a great opportunity to gather people from all around the world, to come here, and to sit at the table, to discuss and to listen to each other, to bring new proposals, and to try to tackle the global challenges that we need to face together. Because these global challenges, only together we can tackle them.

Climate change, inequality, poverty are three main issues that we need to mobilise the entire world to do on this. Our partnership is based on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to democracy, multilateralism, and a fairer, more sustainable world.

These principles are also the cornerstone of your G20 Presidency. You have chosen as a motto "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development". The EU fully embraces your priorities, and we are actively contributing to making this week's summit a success.

Now more than ever, we need strong multilateral platforms and institutions, a rules-based order, open dialogue and global cooperation to tackle common challenges.

Fighting climate change, inequality, and poverty.

By upholding the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Pact for the Future.

Engaging in the reform of international financial institutions and in the reform the United Nations to reflect the world of today, because the world today is no longer the same as it was in 1945. We need act for the well-being of our people today and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

For this first G20 held on African soil, your agenda, dear President Ramaphosa, is firmly geared towards your continent's prosperity and innovation potential. The EU is a reliable, predictable, and trustworthy partner for Africa on that path. Our two continents are bound by a unique partnership. It is robust. It is dynamic. And it is looking to the future.

As you said, next Monday, we will hold our 7th EU-African Summit in Luanda, Angola - with a clear purpose in mind: to strengthen and enrich our cooperation. To make our natural connection even stronger. So that we can grow together and protect each other.

Dear President, I look forward to welcoming you, together with my friend, President João Lourenço, there next week. Until then, thank you once again for hosting us here in Johannesburg and all the best for our G20 summit tomorrow.

Thank you very much.