President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 11 June 2021, departed South Africa for the United Kingdom where he is scheduled to attend the G7 Leader's Summit at the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Summit brings together leaders to discuss efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic and create a greener and more prosperous future for all. President Ramaphosa has been invited in recognition of South Africa's leadership role on the continent and globally in the fight against the pandemic, including championing vaccine equity within and between nations. The President's working visit to the United Kingdom also affords South Africa and the host country an opportunity to deepen the strong ties that characterise bilateral relations. South Africa has also been invited for its role as Co-Chair of the ACT-Accelerator Facilitation Council, which aims to expedite research, manufacturing and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics across the world. President Ramaphosa and his counterparts will deliberate on proposals formulated during Ministerial talks in the lead-up to the Leaders' Summit. The President will participate in three working sessions, on Health, Open Societies and Economies, and Climate and Nature. The Leaders' Summit will allow South Africa to push for a swift international response to COVID-19 that enables the equitable and affordable access of COVID19 vaccines and medical supplies. Such a response should include financial support from wealthy countries for ACT-A and the adoption of a TRIPS waiver at the WTO. On the issue of climate change, South Africa will argue for a global commitment to a just transition for developing economies and significantly scaled-up support for adaptation and implementation support. President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor.

The Summit will be available on the following Host Broadcaster's links:

Host Broadcast 1 (primary): https://youtu.be/ykyKmG1pSqY

Host Broadcast 2 (Sunday only): https://youtu.be/0MinhKBt9iQ

Media enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson to the President at [email protected]

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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