The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, will host the third and final G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Technical and Ministerial Meetings from 13 - 17 October 2025 in Cape Town.
The meetings will bring together delegates from G20 member states, invited guest countries, international organisations, research institutions, and other organisations. Significantly, the Ministerial Meeting is expected to adopt the final G20 ECSWG Ministerial Declaration, which reflects consensus positions on global environmental governance across the six priorities identified by the South African Presidency of the G20 ECSWG.
This follows two successful ECSWG sessions – the virtual meeting in March, and the in-person technical session held at Kruger National Park, Skukuza in July 2025. The Department has hosted various dialogues and workshops to unpack the ECSWG priorities throughout the year. Most recently, the G20 ECSWG Science-Policy Dialogue took place from 10–12 September 2025 in Cape Town, in collaboration with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), to deepen engagement on technical recommendations and the Ministerial Declaration.
The ECSWG meeting will feature several legacy components including the announcement of winners of the Pangolin Pact G20 Schools Competition and a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. These engagements will also be an opportunity to highlight South Africa’s Climate Change Act, the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, and efforts to strengthen the biodiversity economy through initiatives like the Kruger–Kirstenbosch–iSimangaliso Icon Strategy.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the meeting and key media events as follows:
DAY ONE: 13 OCTOBER 2025
Welcome and Opening: including remarks by the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George
Time: 09:00 – 10:00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
DAY THREE: 15 OCTOBER 2025
G20 Schools Competition – Announcement of Winners and Presentation of Awards under the Pangolin Pact Legacy Project
Time: 12:30 – 13:00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
DAY FOUR: 16 OCTOBER 2025
Part 1: Ministerial Opening Session
Time: 09:00 – 11:00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
Part 2: 10 Years Celebration of the Paris Agreement
Time: 12:30 – 14:00
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
DAY FIVE: 17 OCTOBER 2025
Closure of the Ministerial Meeting: including remarks by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George
Time: 12:30 – 12:45
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
Members of the media who wish to cover the G20 ECSWG and ministerial events are requested to apply for accreditation by completing the https://forms.office.com/r/uJDwGqP9xG
For media accreditation-related queries, please contact:
Paul Sigutya
E-mail: Psigutya@dffe.gov.za.
For media interview enquiries please contact:
Thobile Zulu-Molobi:
Mobile: +27 82 513 7154
E-mail: tmolobi@dffe.gov.za
or
Chelsey Wilken
Mobile: +27 74 470 5996
E-mail: cwilken@dffe.gov.za
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