Taoiseach's Landmark G20 South Africa Visit Strengthens Bilateral Ties and Global Cooperation

Taoiseach Micheál Martin participated in the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg from 21-23 November 2025. This was the first time that Ireland has participated in a Leaders Summit, thanks to the invitation from South Africa to be a guest country at G20 this year. It also marks the first-ever G20 under the leadership of an African nation.

This visit underscores Ireland’s deepening partnership with South Africa and its commitment to addressing global challenges through multilateral engagement.

"Ireland is honoured to join South Africa’s G20 summit, backing its focus on solidarity, equality and sustainability. I’ll advocate for climate action, food security and stronger global cooperation, while meeting Irish businesses creating jobs and opportunities abroad."

The Taoiseach engaged in a series of high-level economic, community, and bilateral meetings, including addressing an Enterprise Ireland lunch with Irish business leaders in South Africa.

He also had an opportunity to meet Irish community organisations and key partner organisations at a reception hosted by Ambassador Gormley on 21 November.

At the Global Citizens Now event co-hosted by South Africa and the EU, the Taoiseach pledged €5million to the International Energy Agency's Clean Energy Transitions Programme.

The Taoiseach also announced increased support at the Eighth Replenishment Summit of the Global Fund, underlining Ireland’s ongoing support for global health initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

"By contributing €72 million to the Global Fund over the next three years, Ireland is demonstrating its firm commitment to global health, to fighting disease and to improving and saving lives."

The Taoiseach’s contributions at the G20 Summit South Africa focused on sustainable and inclusive economic growth, building a resilient global economy and the importance of food security.

Ireland’s active role within the G20 reflects its firm commitment to multilateralism which contributes to international peace and security, sustainable development and addressing the challenges of climate change.

The visit further strengthened Ireland’s partnership with South Africa, opening new avenues for collaboration in trade, innovation, and development cooperation.

Taoiseach Martin’s engagement reaffirms the strong historical and contemporary ties between the two nations and Ireland’s support for Africa’s sustainable development.

Following South Africa’s G20 Summit, the Taoiseach visited Soweto. He laid a wreath at the Hector Pieterson Museum in memory of those killed during the 1976 Soweto Uprisings.

He also visited No. 8115 Orlando West, Mandela House - the former home of Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

"President Mandela was a beacon of courage who dared to speak truth to power. His message of inclusivity, freedom and reconciliation still resonate"

The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa celebrates this milestone visit as a pivotal moment in Irish-South African relations, highlighting shared values of democracy, development, and dialogue on the world stage.

From South Africa, the Taoiseach travelled to Angola for the African Union-European Union Summit. Posting on X, he said, "Ireland has a long historic relationship with Africa, strengthened through work in education and health, our development programme, and stronger economic ties."