‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20
‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20, marking a decisive show of solidarity as European leaders rally behind South Africa’s presidency. Amidst the conspicuous absence of the United States at the G20 Summit Johannesburg, the European Union has stepped into the diplomatic vacuum, offering a robust endorsement of South Africa’s leadership and its ambitious Global South agenda.
The sentiment was clear as top EU officials touched down in Sandton: in a fractured world, isolationism is a dead end. By explicitly backing South Africa’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” the European bloc is positioning itself as the “reliable partner” that Africa can count on to navigate the polycrisis of climate change, debt, and inequality.
Ursula von der Leyen champions multilateralism
The tone for the summit was set during a high-stakes media briefing on Friday, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the host nation. She emphasized that the challenges facing the global economy—from the green energy transition to digital governance—require a unified front, not fragmented protectionism.
“For the clean transition to truly succeed, it must happen everywhere. That is important. This is where reliable cooperation between trusted partners is yet again the best way forward. I welcome South Africa making this a focal point of their G20 Presidency,” Von der Leyen stated.
Her comments served as a thinly veiled critique of the unilateral stances taken by other global powers. By aligning with South Africa, Ursula von der Leyen is reinforcing the EU’s commitment to a rules-based international order. The phrase ‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20 echoed throughout her address, serving as a rallying cry for delegates to look beyond national borders.
This partnership is not merely rhetorical. It is underpinned by the massive “Global Gateway” initiative, which aims to mobilize €300 billion in investments, with a significant portion earmarked for Africa. Von der Leyen’s presence signals that Brussels views the G20 Summit Johannesburg as a critical juncture to reset and strengthen Euro-African relations.
António Costa and the new era of cooperation
Standing alongside Von der Leyen was European Council President António Costa, who was equally effusive in his support. Costa highlighted the historic nature of this gathering—the first G20 on African soil and the first since the African Union was admitted as a permanent member.
António Costa stressed that the EU is determined to remain a predictable ally. In an era of geopolitical volatility, he argued that consistent, fair, and open trade relationships are the bedrock of stability.
“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,” Costa remarked.
His focus on multilateralism was sharp and deliberate. Costa pointed out that global challenges like pandemic preparedness and financial architecture reform cannot be solved by any single nation, no matter how powerful. His endorsement of the ‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20 narrative provides a significant diplomatic boost to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has faced headwinds from the US administration regarding the summit’s agenda.
Concrete Deals: Beyond the Rhetoric
The praise from EU leaders was backed by ink on paper. Just a day prior to the main plenary sessions, the EU and South Africa signed the landmark “Clean Trade and Investment Partnership” (CTIP). This agreement is a tangible manifestation of the collective action the EU is calling for.
The CTIP focuses on:
-
Critical Minerals: Developing value chains that allow South Africa to process minerals locally rather than just exporting raw ore.
-
Green Hydrogen: Positioning South Africa as a global leader in the production of sustainable fuels.
-
Infrastructure: Upgrading the logistics networks required to move green energy goods to market.
This deal directly addresses one of the Global South’s primary grievances: that the green transition often leaves developing nations behind. By investing in local beneficiation, the EU is putting its money where its mouth is.
Scaling Up Renewables for Africa
Another key pillar of this renewed multilateralism is the “Scaling Up Renewables for Africa” campaign. In a side event co-hosted by Ramaphosa and Von der Leyen, the leaders sought to address a glaring imbalance: despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar potential, Africa receives only 2% of global clean energy investment.
Ursula von der Leyen announced new funding pledges aimed at tripling renewable energy capacity on the continent. “This cannot be. We must change this imbalance,” she declared, reinforcing the summit’s central theme.
This initiative is a prime example of why the G20 Summit Johannesburg matters. It moves the conversation from abstract targets to concrete financing, leveraging the collective financial weight of the G20 to de-risk projects that would otherwise be ignored by private capital.
A Strategic Counter-Narrative
Political analysts note that the EU’s strategy in Johannesburg is carefully calibrated. With the US boycotting the summit over disputes regarding South African domestic policy, the EU has seized the opportunity to present itself as the “adult in the room.”
While Washington creates distance, Brussels is building bridges. This divergence in Western foreign policy is stark. By championing António Costa‘s vision of a fair partnership, the EU is ensuring that it remains relevant to the Global South at a time when nations are increasingly looking toward BRICS and other non-Western alliances.
The repeated refrain of ‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20 acts as a diplomatic shield for South Africa. It validates the country’s G20 agenda against critics who labelled it too focused on “diversity and inclusion.” The EU’s support suggests that issues of inequality and climate justice are not fringe topics but central to the global economic stability that the G20 was created to protect.
YOU MAY LIKE:
G20 summit in South Africa: Who’s attending and what’s on the agenda?
Conclusion: A Summit of Solidarity
As the leaders head into the final days of the summit, the alliance between South Africa and the European Union stands out as a defining feature of the event. The commitment to multilateralism has arguably saved the summit from becoming a geopolitical failure due to the US absence.
The message is unequivocal: the challenges of the 21st century respect no borders. Whether it is regulating Artificial Intelligence, fighting pandemics, or cooling a warming planet, the only path forward is together.
As ‘We can’t do it alone’: EU praises SA as it calls for collective action at G20, the legacy of the Johannesburg summit may well be the realization that in a divided world, the power of partnership is the only currency that truly matters.
Here are two references from mainstream media (one South African and one International) confirming the details of the EU’s support at the G20 Summit:
-
Bulletin (South Africa)
-
Headline: G20: EU pledges strong support for Africa at G20 Summit
-
Date: November 21, 2025
-
Link: https://bulletin.co.za/g20-eu-pledges-strong-support-for-africa-at-g20-summit-sound/
-
-
AP News (International)
-
Headline: Africa’s first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda and a US boycott
-
Date: November 22, 2025
-
Kindly consider to support eKayNews, further consider buying us a virtual coffee or subscribe to any amount of your choice also in the links below or check at the footer of website
Payment handled by Pay fast the most and eKayNews doesn’t access your payments details at all:
Subscribe with any amount and cancel anytime:
Subscribe any amount of your choice:
Consider Buy us once off virtue coffee of any amount
Your incredible generosity in financially contributing to eKayNews fills our hearts with profound gratitude. Thank you, truly.
Your support is the very lifeline that allows us to remain online, to continue our work, and most importantly, to keep serving you with the news and information you rely on.
No matter the size, makes a tangible difference and empowers us to keep going.
From the entire team at eKayNews, thank you for being such a vital part of our community. We are committed to continuing to serve you even better, thanks to your kindness
We’re grateful for your Love and support of eKayNews
Thank you supporting eKayNews! Follow us for the latest news and updates. We appreciate your readership and engagement.
eKayNews on Facebook
eKayNews on X
Follow the eKayNews What Sapp: News Channel
