Lamola participates in Delphi Economic Forum
15 April 2025
South Africa, through its Embassy in Greece, is committed to advancing its bilateral and multilateral relations with the Hellenic Republic. The Embassy was honoured to host the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, during a successful working visit to Greece on 12 April 2025. The Minister also had a courtesy meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Kostas Hatzidakis on the margins of the Delphi Economic Forum, hosted by Mr Symeon Tsomokos.
In his address to a wide international audience at the Forum, Minister Lamola outlined South Africa’s priorities as the first African country to assume the G20 Presidency; and its theme is Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. South Africa will seek to facilitate progress on priority actions such as, the harnessing of Critical Minerals for inclusive growth and development, mobilising finance for a Just Energy Transition and strengthening Disaster Resilience.
Minister Lamola also highlighted the good progress that has been registered by the AU through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is widely recognised as a game-changer and a catalyst for boosting intra-Africa trade. The AfCFTA provides for a single African market with a population of 1.3 billion and a combined GDP estimated at US$3.4 trillion. Crucially, its operationalisation holds the possibility of boosting regional income by 7% ($450 billion) and lifting approximately 30 million people out of extreme poverty.
Noting that Greece is a member of the European Union (EU), the Minister re-affirmed South Africa’s Strategic Partnership with the EU, as evidenced by the positive outcomes of the recent Summit that was held in Cape Town. Greece is therefore an important partner of South Africa bilaterally and in key multilateral forums, such as the United Nations and the Human Rights Council.
The Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of South Africa to Greece, Dr Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela, who stated that, “This working visit of Minister Lamola is a recognisable and significant landmark in our efforts to consolidate the good relations between South Africa and the Hellenic Republic.”
