IBSA leaders drive education pact at G20 Summit

The final day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday saw India, Brazil and South Africa place education, global governance reform and development cooperation at the centre of their engagements as the three countries met under the IBSA forum on the sidelines of the summit.

The IBSA Leaders’ Dialogue, attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on consolidating ongoing cooperation between the three democracies. The meeting took place as G20 leaders continued negotiations on climate finance, food security, debt restructuring and international financial reform.

Opening the dialogue, Ramaphosa said the meeting was taking place at a time of fast-moving global developments. “The world in which we live is changing rapidly and dramatically,” he said. Ramaphosa said India, Brazil and South Africa had increasingly become part of discussions on international cooperation. “India, Brazil and South Africa are not merely participating in global economic governance, but are working to shape the global agenda,” he said.

One of the major outcomes of the IBSA meeting was the confirmation that the three countries would sign a collaboration agreement on foundational learning. The agreement follows an earlier commitment by the education ministers of all three nations and aims to strengthen literacy and basic education support in developing countries, especially across the Global South. Ramaphosa said, “I am therefore delighted that we will be signing a collaboration agreement on foundational learning.”

IBSA members also reviewed the performance of the IBSA Fund, which finances small-scale development projects in areas such as health, agriculture, water, sanitation and women’s empowerment. The fund has supported projects in more than 20 developing countries since its creation in 2004. Ramaphosa said the fund continued to demonstrate “the practical value of our association.”

The leaders further discussed cooperation on climate change, energy transitions, pandemic preparedness and global economic reform. Ramaphosa said the three countries must continue to support changes to multilateral structures.

“Together, we must champion ambitious reform of the global governance institutions,” he said. He added that growing inequality remained a major concern, saying, “The structural fault in the global economy – the growing gap between the rich and the poor and deepening poverty and underdevelopment – can only effectively be addressed through a new paradigm of inclusive economic growth.”

Sunday’s IBSA meeting took place as the wider G20 summit moved toward the conclusion of negotiations on the Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration. Delegates have been discussing commitments on renewable energy expansion, reducing carbon emissions, mobilising financing for vulnerable countries, expanding digital public infrastructure and improving global food systems.

Security remained tight around the Nasrec Expo Centre, with multiple road closures and controlled movement of delegates. Heads of state and government continued bilateral meetings throughout the day, with several focusing on trade, investment and development partnerships with African countries.

South Africa, as the host and current president of the G20, has emphasised strengthening multilateralism, advancing African development priorities and expanding support for countries facing debt distress. The summit has also included sessions on global trade reform, efforts to stabilise supply chains and measures to expand Africa’s role in global manufacturing.

Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue coordinating IBSA engagements and preparing for the next IBSA Leaders’ Summit. “South Africa wishes that, as IBSA, we revitalise our interactions and renew our determination to advance our founding goals,” he said.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled to close later on Sunday, with the host nation expected to provide a briefing on the outcomes and commitments adopted by member countries.