Sherpa Track – G20 South Africa

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The Sherpa Track is led by the personal representatives of G20 leaders and oversee negotiations and discuss the points that form the summit’s agenda and coordinate most of the work.

The Sherpa Track is led by the personal representatives of G20 leaders and oversee negotiations and discuss the points that form the summit’s agenda and coordinate most of the work.

The Sherpa appointed by the South African government is the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Zane Dangor. The Sherpa is supported by two Sous-Sherpas, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo and Advocate Nokukhanya Jele.

The Sherpas are an ethnic group from the mountainous region of Nepal, which in Tibetan means “people from the East”. It is they who guide the climbers who aim to reach the top of Mount Everest. Without their skills, it would be almost impossible to reach the summit. In the G20, the Sherpas are the leaders of each country who take the discussions and agreements to the final summit with Heads of State and Government.

The Sherpa Track is made up of the following 15 working groups:

AGRICULTURE

About the WG The Agriculture Working Group (WG) is an important forum for G20 members to strengthen cooperation on agricultural...

ANTI-CORRUPTION

INTRODUCTION Corruption is a serious challenge that severely impacts domestic resource mobilisation, limiting the financial means available for development while...

CULTURE

INTRODUCTION Through the Group of Twenty (G20) Culture Working Group (CWG), the South African Presidency aims to emphasise the importance...

DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION The G20 Development Working Group (DWG) falls under the Sherpa track of the G20 and is the key G20...

DIGITAL ECONOMY

INTRODUCTION The South African Presidency of the G20 comes at a time of increased international focus on the digital economy,...

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

INTRODUCTION The theme of South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency is Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. This will guide its Presidency...

EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION The G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) was established during the Argentinian Presidency in 2018. Subsequent presidencies all incorporated the...

EMPLOYMENT

INTRODUCTION This theme effectively positions South Africa as a leader in advocating for a future of work that not only...

ENERGY TRANSITIONS

INTRODUCTION Since 2009, energy has been central to G20 discussions based on the sector’s contribution to sustainable development. A dedicated...

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY

INTRODUCTION “Global problems are moving faster than the institutions designed to solve them”. Poverty, unemployment, hunger, inequality, environmental degradation, and...

HEALTH

INTRODUCTION Building on the progress of previous G20 presidencies, particularly those of Indonesia (2022), India (2023), and Brazil (2024), and...

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

INTRODUCTION Under the Brazilian Presidency of the G20 in 2024, the Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) inaugural meeting was...

TOURISM

INTRODUCTION The G20 economies represent around 85% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), over 75% of the global trade,...

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

INTRODUCTION South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions, worsening climate-related challenges, fragmenting global supply...

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

INTRODUCTION South Africa places inclusive economic growth at the centre of its national agenda. Hosting the Group of Twenty (G20)...