Johannesburg, Nov 23 (NationPress) In a significant announcement, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declared on Sunday that South Korea is set to host the Group of 20 (G20) summit in 2028 with a profound sense of responsibility, aiming to enhance the forum's influence in global economic collaboration.

During the third session of the summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, it was confirmed that South Korea will follow the United States in 2026 and Britain in 2027 as the next G20 president.

"With a profound sense of responsibility, we will exert our best efforts to ensure that the G20 continues to strengthen its position as the leading forum for international economic cooperation," he stated, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Hosting the G20 summit in 2028 would represent a significant multilateral success during Lee's five-year tenure, which concludes in 2030, following South Korea’s leadership of the UN Security Council and the APEC summit earlier this year.

At the session themed “A Fair and Just Future for All”, Lee emphasized the urgent need to establish a stable and mutually beneficial supply chain for critical minerals, especially in light of rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China over rare earth minerals.

"We must create a stable and mutually advantageous supply chain for critical minerals, ensuring that both mineral-rich nations and those that import them can share in the benefits," he asserted.

He welcomed the G20's approval of the Critical Minerals Framework and spotlighted Seoul's leadership in the Minerals Security Partnership, along with the launch of the Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Cooperation Initiative to aid international collaboration.

"The Republic of Korea will persist in backing global initiatives to establish resilient and mutually beneficial supply chains," he added, referencing South Korea’s official name.

On the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), Lee advocated for global frameworks to ensure wider and more equitable access to AI technologies.

"The progress of AI must create fair opportunities for all nations and individuals," he remarked, pledging to collaborate with the international community to further South Korea's vision for inclusive AI.

Lee noted that as this year's chair of APEC, South Korea has spearheaded the development of an AI initiative and vowed to extend its influence beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

He also introduced programs aimed at enhancing the digital skills of women and youth throughout Africa.

The presidential office stated that Lee’s participation in the G20 expanded the scope of his “pragmatic” diplomacy, focusing on national interests in the Global South, which generally refers to developing economies in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

During the first two sessions on Saturday, Lee committed South Korea to a proactive role in fostering inclusive economic growth, rejuvenating the World Trade Organization, and addressing climate change along with the global food crisis.

"Given that this year's gathering is the first G20 summit hosted in Africa, President Lee showcased his dedication to solidarity and cooperation with the continent," said Oh Hyun-joo, the third deputy national security adviser, in a briefing in Johannesburg. "He also emphasized the need to revive the World Trade Organization's multilateral trade system."

Later that day, Lee plans to meet with Korean residents in South Africa before departing for Turkey, the last stop on his four-nation tour of the Middle East and Africa, which included visits to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

In Ankara, Lee is expected to engage in summit talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with discussions likely to focus on the defense and nuclear energy sectors.