South Africa, through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will lead the second technical meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG), to be held from 14 to 18 July 2025 at Kruger National Park, Skukuza, Mpumalanga.
The ECSWG, under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, will facilitate high-level discussions on important issues such as biodiversity and conservation, climate change, land degradation, drought, chemicals and waste management, air quality and oceans and coasts. Themed “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, this meeting will build upon the progress emanating from the first virtual ECSWG meeting held in March and will focus on deepening collaboration within the priorities of the G20 ECSWG.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) plays an important role in coordinating the ECSWG, ensuring alignment with South Africa’s policy priorities and global sustainability commitments. This includes:
- Leading and convening three ECSWG meetings to advance global cooperation on environmental sustainability.
- Contributing to environmental and climate-related discussions within other G20 Working Groups to ensure an integrated approach to sustainability.
- Engaging with stakeholders and member states to drive collaborative initiatives and secure actionable outcomes in areas such as climate finance, biodiversity conservation, pollution management, and ocean governance
The Kruger National Park meeting forms part of a series of three ECSWG engagements hosted by South Africa during its G20 Presidency.The meeting will bring together over 250 delegates, including representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, international organisations, government officials, and the media.
The Minister of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George will use the 2nd Technical meeting of the G20 ECSWG to launch legacy projects for the G20 Presidency.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the technical meeting and side events as follows:
DAY ONE: 14 JULY 2025
Opening of the Technical Meeting of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga
Time: 09h00
G20 Tree planting activity
Time: 12h30
Venue: Skukuza Road, Kruger National Park, Hazyview, 1350, Mpumalanga
DAY TWO: 15 JULY 2025
Launch of G20 Legacy project: Rhino Renaissance Campaign – Demonstrating conservation efforts in fighting wildlife crime – Dehorning of rhino
Time: 09h00
Venue: Skukuza Road, Kruger National Park, Hazyview, 1350, Mpumalanga
DAY FIVE: 18 JULY 2025
G20 Schools Competition – Essay Winners Announcement and Launch of G20 Legacy Project: The Pangolin Pact, starting with the schools awareness campaign, to teach children about wildlife crimes and how South Africa and other G20 nations are combatting the illegal trade of wildlife including pangolins, rhinos and lions.
Time: 09h00
Venue: Skukuza Road, Kruger National Park, Hazyview, 1350, Mpumalanga
To RSVP and for media enquiries please contact: Thobile Zulu-Molobi: +27 82 513 7154 / tmolobi@dffe.gov.za | Chelsey Wilken: +27 74 470 5996 / cwilken@dffe.gov.za / Reynold Thakhuli +27 373 4999 / Rey.Thakhuli@sanparks.org
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Twitter: @Environmentza / @Dr_Dion_George
Facebook: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Instagram: Environmentza
LinkedIn: diontgeorge / Dr Dion George MP