Last week, President von der Leyen was in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she participated in the G20 Summit together with European Council President António Costa.
This was the first G20 Summit held in the African continent, which the President highlighted as proof of Africa's central role in the global stage.
The Commission President stressed the importance of the G20 as a forum to find common solutions to common challenges. In her interventions to fellow leaders and to the press, she explained the EU's positions and contributions to the global trade system, climate change and energy, and the AI revolution.
On trade, President von der Leyen described Europe's belief in a rule-based order. She highlighted the EU's extensive network of trade agreements and described the EU's standpoint: "We are a partner that plays by the rules. A partner that listens. And above all, a partner that delivers mutual gains in trade and investment, which in turn delivers good jobs. We believe in the mutual gain in trade and investment. We will continue advocating for a strong, reformed and relevant World Trade Organization, including here at the G20," she told journalists at a joint press conference with President Costa.
Speaking to fellow G20 leaders, she talked about current challenges. She said: "External imbalances remain way too high as well. It is not possible for a large economy to have a share of world manufacturing production, which is 2 to 3 times bigger than its share in the world's consumption. External imbalances are rooted in domestic policies and imbalances. And they cannot be addressed by using trade policy tools."
When it comes to climate change and the clean energy transition, President von der Leyen made the case for seizing the opportunities that the transition offers. She said clean technologies are not only good for the environment, but they create good jobs and can bring energy to millions of people.
"Last year the investment in clean energy was globally EUR 2 trillion, but only 2% of this investment went to Africa – the continent with 60% of the world's best solar potential. This cannot be. We must change this imbalance," she said.
In this sense, in the margins of the G20, President von der Leyen was joined by the summit's host, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to lead the pledging conference for the 'Scaling up Renewables for Africa' campaign, which they launched together last year.
The pledging conference secured €15.5 billion to boost clean energy in Africa, as well as a commitment to generate 26.8 GW in renewable energy and bring renewable electricity to 17.5 million African households that do not count with reliable access to electricity.
The President of the Commission also addressed the topic of the AI revolution. She said Europe is working in setting up its AI Gigafactories and accelerating adoption of AI across the economy. This is tied to the Union's international engagement to create win-win partnerships around the world.
Unwavering support for Ukraine
The gathering in Johannesburg was also an occasion for Ukraine's partners to reiterate their support as discussions on a peace plan evolved. They welcomed the US efforts to bring peace and highlighted that additional work is needed.
President von der Leyen delivered a statement stressing three core elements that any credible and sustainable peace plan should include: "First, borders cannot be changed by force. Second, as a sovereign nation there cannot be limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security. Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny."
And she reiterated another crucial element: "The return of each and every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia. Of all the horrors unleashed by Russia's war, none cuts deeper than this. Tens of thousands of boys and girls remain trapped in Russia. Frightened and longing for their loved ones."
EU-South Africa Summit
Ahead of the G20, Presidents von der Leyen, Costa and Ramaphosa also held the EU-South Africa Summit, during which both partners strengthen bilateral ties.
The EU and South Africa signed a landmark Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, the first agreement of this type. This new partnership will build clean supply chains in areas like renewable energy, electricity grid, clean fuels, raw materials, and clean technologies.
Additionally, a partnership on minerals and metals value chains was also concluded and several projects under Global Gateway were launched, including in the domains of green hydrogen, e-batteries and critical raw materials.
