The high-level meeting between the South African High Commissioner and Singaporean Finance Secretary highlights collaboration opportunities and South Africa’s G20 Presidency preparations.
Singapore, 23 May 2024 – The South African High Commissioner to Singapore, H.E. Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe, met with the Singapore Permanent Secretary for Finance, Ms. Tan Ching Yee, at the invitation of the Singapore Ministry of Finance. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between South Africa and Singapore, including South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency in 2025.
Ms. Tan Ching Yee, who also serves as Singapore’s G20 Sherpa, shared insights on Singapore’s role in deepening collaboration in various areas such as trade, investment, innovation, education, climate change, and sustainability. While Singapore is not a G20 member, it has been invited to participate in the summit and related meetings for over a decade. Ms. Tan affirmed Singapore’s commitment to actively contribute to the G20 process, both nationally and as Convenor of the Global Governance Group (3G).
The High Commissioner discussed South Africa’s key areas of focus for its G20 Presidency in 2025, emphasizing the promotion of African interests as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy. South Africa aims to build on existing G20 initiatives such as the Industrialization of Africa and the G20 Africa Partnership, advocating for the reform and strengthening of the international financial architecture to enable developing countries’ equal participation in decision-making processes.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner received a symbolic gift – the famous “magic cup,” reminiscent of former Prime Minister Mr. Lee Hsien Loong’s cup used during COVID-19 addresses. The cup, known for its unique feature of prompting language switches, will serve as a motivation for the High Commissioner to learn Singaporean languages during her tenure.
Source: South African High Commission, Singapore.
