{"id":78684,"date":"2025-06-13T15:46:39","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T13:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spu.ac.za\/?p=78684"},"modified":"2025-06-13T15:56:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T13:56:41","slug":"charting-south-africas-future-g20-planning-summit-held-at-spu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spu.ac.za\/index.php\/charting-south-africas-future-g20-planning-summit-held-at-spu\/","title":{"rendered":"Charting South Africa\u2019s future: G20 Planning Summit held at SPU"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A G20 Planning Summit, hosted by the National Planning Commission<\/span><\/a> (NPC) in partnership with the Office of the Premier<\/span><\/a> (Northern Cape) and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation<\/span><\/a> (DPME), was held at Sol Plaatje University (SPU), on 12 and 13 June 2025, bringing together government leaders, academics, civil society, and international partners to chart a long-term development path for South Africa under the theme: \u201cCharting South Africa\u2019s Future: A Call for Collaborative Long-Term Planning as a Foundation for Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>

The Planning Summit is a strategic national platform for SA\u2019s long-term planning and practical lessons from the implementation of the National Development Plan<\/span><\/a> (NDP) across sectors and spheres of government.<\/p>

The Northern Cape was selected as host province due to its prominence in national and global debates on renewable energy, the just transition, and inclusive development, with its vast solar and wind resources, the province is at the forefront of South Africa\u2019s shift toward sustainable energy solutions. It also serves as a living case study of how equitable development can be advanced in historically under-resourced regions, making it a powerful setting for conversations on long-term planning, social justice, and economic transformation.<\/p>

SPU\u2019s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof Paul Green delivered his message of support during the Opening Session. He welcomed delegates to SPU, the Northern Cape\u2019s anchor institution. \u201cIt is fitting that a summit dedicated to long-term, inclusive national planning is convened in a place founded on democratic ideals and a vision for transformation. The theme of this Summit, could not be timelier, nor more aligned with SPU\u2019s own vision: To be a university critically engaged in learning, research, and development while enhancing democratic practice and social justice in society. Long-term planning, rooted in inclusion, foresight and integration, is not only vital for our collective progress, but also essential for our survival. The challenges we face, from socio-economic inequality to climate change, demand cohesive thinking and bold, united action.\u201d Prof Green invited multi-stakeholder collaboration with SPU, stating that development is a shared task, emphasising that at SPU, we stand ready to work together with government, civil society, the private sector and the international community. He also mentioned that SPU plans to launch a Centre for Sustainable Energy, which will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary research, capacity development, and policy engagement in support of a greener, more inclusive future, which is in line with national and global priorities.<\/p>

The second day of the summit consisted of breakaway sessions where various Commissions given the SA landscape, discussed and deliberated on the following:<\/p>