Cape Town hosts G20 Interfaith Forum focused on solidarity, equality and sustainability
The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), which will be taking place in Cape Town this week under the banner of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. The picture shows the forum's gathering which took place in Pretoria earlier this year.
Image: IF20/Facebook
One of the events being held in the lead up to the G20 Summit later this year (November 22–23) is the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), which will be taking place in Cape Town this week under the banner of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
The IF20 will be bringing together a coalition of global voices committed to shaping inclusive and ethical policy.
The forum will convene religious leaders, civil society organisations, government officials, multilateral institutions, and scholars to explore collaborative solutions to pressing global challenges.
The IF20 event will reflect and reinforce South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. The Cape Town event will serve as a catalyst for action, fostering partnerships that transcend borders, beliefs, and sectors.
Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—the forum will emphasise the interconnectedness of humanity and the moral imperative to ensure that no one is left behind.
Chairperson of the local organising committee (LOC), Professor David Mosoma, said that the conference is poised to be a watershed in addressing the intractable challenges of solidarity, equality, and sustainability from an interfaith perspective.
“The objective is to assemble the religious leaders to craft practical solutions informed by the tenets of their faith. The religious actors will be required to use the conference as a mining field of ideas where the interplay of theory and practice of faith is interwoven and sharply articulated in a world that is hurt and hungry for justice, transformation, and restoration of human dignity.
“As the chairperson of the local organising committee, I encourage delegates to use the conference to network, build bridges of unity and collaboration, and create far-reaching, practical solutions that benefit communities in South Africa, Africa, and the globe,” Mosoma said.
The 2025 Forum’s key themes and priorities will align closely with the G20’s priority areas, including:
- Climate action and sustainable development,
- Peacebuilding and conflict resolution,
- Inclusive economic development,
- Education and youth empowerment, and
- Health, well-being, and spiritual resilience.
Sessions will feature high-level panels, grassroots dialogues, and interfaith reflections, offering a platform for diverse perspectives to inform global policy.
The forum will also spotlight Africa’s unique contributions to global interfaith collaboration and sustainable development.
Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe will speak at the conference. Ahead of the IF20, she said that the department is excited to be involved in the important gathering.
“The faith sector remains a critical stakeholder in addressing the deep-rooted social challenges our world continues to face.
“It also plays a vital role in our collective efforts to restore the moral fibre of society. As we prepare to host the G20 Summit and the all-important National Dialogue, we hope and trust that the voice of faith will find meaningful expression.”
Regional Director of United Religions Initiative for Africa and Representative to the African Union and UN, Ambassador Mussie Hailu, said the forum will help religious leaders and institutions to foster collaboration and practical dialogue between religious and political spheres.
“The forum is very important as it will help to bridge the religious and political spheres, addressing challenges which affect all humanity, promoting interfaith dialogue, highlighting ethical and moral dimensions, involving diverse voices, supporting sustainable development, and encouraging collaboration for the good of all. I am extremely thrilled to notice that this year the forum theme is focusing on Ubuntu in Action.”
Vice-chair of the LOC, Sandile Makasi, said: “I am thrilled to welcome leaders and delegates from across the globe to our beautiful country, South Africa, for this historic gathering.
“This event is more than just a meeting —it is a moment of great promise and shared purpose. Like rivers flowing together to form a strong, steady stream, diverse voices of faith and humanity will unite to address pressing global challenges,” Makasi said.
“Together, we commit to uplifting the most vulnerable in society, bringing hope and progress. Africa stands ready. Africa’s time has come.”
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za