Johannesburg, March 6, 2025: South Africa’s Minister for Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has urged G20 countries to unite under the philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—to address critical global agricultural challenges. Steenhuisen delivered this call during his welcome address at the second session of the G20 Agriculture Working Group (AWG) meeting held earlier this week.
The minister stressed the urgent need for unified action, highlighting challenges such as frequent outbreaks of animal and plant diseases, worsening impacts of climate change, persistent poverty, and rising hunger levels worldwide.
Minister Steenhuisen outlined four primary focus areas aimed at driving sustainable agriculture and food security globally:
Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of inclusive policies and strategic investments designed to uplift smallholder farmers, women, youth, and marginalized communities. This approach ensures that all stakeholders—farmers, traders, and communities—are actively involved in vibrant markets and have reliable access to nutritious food.
Steenhuisen advocated for enhancing access to land, finance, training, and leadership opportunities for youth and women. He recognized their crucial role in driving innovation and sustainability within the global agricultural sector.
Highlighting the importance of equitable technological advancement, Steenhuisen called for increased collaboration to ensure that cutting-edge agricultural innovations benefit developing countries and vulnerable communities. He urged the G20 to bridge the technological gap and equip farmers with essential tools and knowledge.
Steenhuisen underscored the interconnectivity highlighted by Ubuntu in facing climate change challenges. He reinforced South Africa’s commitment to collaborating with G20 members to secure climate finance, exchange best practices for climate-smart agriculture, and protect vulnerable farmers from extreme weather events.
The minister also expressed gratitude to Brazil for initiating the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during its G20 presidency in 2024. Steenhuisen reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to advancing this alliance through active engagement within the G20’s Food Security Task Force.
The G20 Agriculture Working Group will continue holding sessions across three provinces in South Africa throughout the remainder of 2025, aiming to foster greater international collaboration and action.
The minister stressed the urgent need for unified action, highlighting challenges such as frequent outbreaks of animal and plant diseases, worsening impacts of climate change, persistent poverty, and rising hunger levels worldwide.
“No single nation can confront these crises alone,” Steenhuisen stated, emphasizing that global cooperation guided by Ubuntu’s core values of collective action, mutual respect, and shared responsibility is essential.
South Africa’s Four Agricultural Priorities Under G20 Presidency
Minister Steenhuisen outlined four primary focus areas aimed at driving sustainable agriculture and food security globally:
1. Promoting Inclusive Market Participation and Food Security
Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of inclusive policies and strategic investments designed to uplift smallholder farmers, women, youth, and marginalized communities. This approach ensures that all stakeholders—farmers, traders, and communities—are actively involved in vibrant markets and have reliable access to nutritious food.
2. Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood Systems
Steenhuisen advocated for enhancing access to land, finance, training, and leadership opportunities for youth and women. He recognized their crucial role in driving innovation and sustainability within the global agricultural sector.
3. Strengthening Collaboration in Agricultural Research and Technology
Highlighting the importance of equitable technological advancement, Steenhuisen called for increased collaboration to ensure that cutting-edge agricultural innovations benefit developing countries and vulnerable communities. He urged the G20 to bridge the technological gap and equip farmers with essential tools and knowledge.
4. Building Climate Resilience for Sustainable Agriculture
Steenhuisen underscored the interconnectivity highlighted by Ubuntu in facing climate change challenges. He reinforced South Africa’s commitment to collaborating with G20 members to secure climate finance, exchange best practices for climate-smart agriculture, and protect vulnerable farmers from extreme weather events.
“Climate change affects us all, and Ubuntu teaches us that our survival is interconnected,” Steenhuisen remarked.
Advancing Global Alliances Against Hunger and Poverty
The minister also expressed gratitude to Brazil for initiating the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during its G20 presidency in 2024. Steenhuisen reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to advancing this alliance through active engagement within the G20’s Food Security Task Force.
“In South Africa, we have realized that neither government, nor the private sector, nor donors alone can address these complex challenges. Partnerships and collective wisdom rooted in our shared humanity are key to achieving lasting solutions. This is the true spirit of Ubuntu,” Steenhuisen concluded.
The G20 Agriculture Working Group will continue holding sessions across three provinces in South Africa throughout the remainder of 2025, aiming to foster greater international collaboration and action.
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