It was a busy week for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) with the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting and Ministerial Meeting, focusing on the need to tackle illicit financial flows, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, advance inclusive social protection systems and align development finance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the ministerial meeting, Minister Maropene Ramokgopa said South Africa’s Presidency placed particular emphasis on two critical enablers: the mobilisation of domestic resources through curbing illicit financial flows and the acceleration of universal, inclusive, and adequate social protection.
“With just five years remaining before the 2030 deadline, only 52.4% of the global population is effectively covered by at least one form of social protection. In Sub-Saharan Africa, that figure stands at a mere 13%, compared to 86% in North America and Europe. The disparity is stark. Social protection, in particular social security, is not a luxury. It is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of resilient societies,” Ramokgopa said.
She highlighted their pride in the 16 points of the Call to Action, which advocate for expanded Social Protection coverage. This expansion aims to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, particularly in addressing poverty and hunger, by increasing social protection coverage for at least one category by 2 percent annually in countries currently lagging.
Ramokgopa said they are also committed to drawing further on the advances and advantages of digitalisation while being mindful not to exacerbate inequalities through the digital divide.
“To uphold our commitments and transform discussions into meaningful action, we have empowered the Social Protection Interagency Board (SPIAC-B), in partnership with the ILO, to monitor and annually report to the G20 DWG on the progress made in realising this call to action,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa said investment in social protection remains dangerously low.
“We need to shape all of society to understand social protection as an investment in human capital, which can be leveraged as a tool for inclusive economic growth and transformation of the economy and labour market,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa added that while the demand for SDG financing escalates, official development flows and domestic fiscal capacities remain insufficient. Blended finance has mobilised only $213 billion to date, with the least-developed countries receiving a paltry 6%.
“This underscores the imperative to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) decisively,” Ramokgopa said.
“IFFs remain a critical challenge for many countries, especially in developing and low-income countries. Although inherently difficult to quantify, estimates suggest that IFFs amount to around $1.5 trillion annually.”
Ramokgopa presented a framework of high-level principles designed to serve as a foundation for systemic action, including:
- Advancing global financial transparency;
- Promoting integrity and the exchange of financial data;
- Establishing equitable tax systems;
- Enhancing multilateral cooperation and enforcement mechanisms;
- Investing in the capacity of revenue authorities and financial institutions;
- Strengthening procurement transparency and accountability; and
- Promoting technological innovation to track, trace, and recover stolen assets.
Delivering opening remarks at the development working group meeting, Ramokgopa emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, social protection, and sustainable financing.
“This week is crucial for the advancement of our shared commitment to confront global development challenges. We gather not just as Ministers and officials, but as stewards of a common ambition to build a world in which progress does not bypass the most vulnerable,” Ramokgopa said.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) hosted a side event on day one, focusing on financing sustainable development and global public goods. The discussion explored innovative financing solutions, collaborations, and consistent policies to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities.
Practical implementation of development goals was the focus of other sessions. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reviewed the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, while the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) showcased its RELISA initiative as a practical example of sustainability.
