By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com | +231880696718

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa engaged in bilateral discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 leaders’ summit in Kananaskis, Canada. The leaders focused on aligning their respective G7 and G20 agendas, emphasizing collaboration on energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.

Their meeting marks a pivotal moment in Canada–South Africa diplomatic relations. President Ramaphosa arrived in Calgary greeted by a Canadian delegation, and the two leaders reiterated their commitment to deepen their strategic partnership in the year ahead.

The talks come as the summit addresses pressing global challenges, including the escalating Israel–Iran conflict, ongoing trade tensions, climate-related emergencies such as wildfires, and economic cooperation. Canada’s hosting of the summit under Prime Minister Carney was seen as an opportunity to cultivate new international relationships, and the dialogue with Ramaphosa underscores a shared interest in constructive multilateral engagement.

As co-chairs of important global forums—Canada for the G7 and South Africa for the G20—the leaders agreed to coordinate on cross-cutting priorities and encourage stronger cooperation between developed and emerging economies. Areas like green energy, climate resilience, and digital innovation were central to their agenda.

Observers noted that the meeting took place against a backdrop of broader diplomatic efforts at the summit, which eschewed a final joint communiqué to avoid divisions, opting instead for thematic statements and bilateral dialogue.

The Canada–South Africa meeting reinforces a rising global partnership aimed at bridging priorities between the Global North and Global South, setting the stage for closer cooperation later this year, particularly as South Africa prepares to host the G20 in Johannesburg.