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JAM | Nov 20, 2025

Holness to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for G20 Leaders’ Summit

Toriann Ellis

Toriann Ellis / Our Today

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Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness addresses heads of ministries, departments and agencies prior to a special press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, on Friday, October 24, 2025. (Photo: JIS)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 20 to 24, 2025.

In a statement posted on the Prime Minister’s Instagram page, he outlined that during his absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Horace Chang will oversee the government.

The G20 (Group of Twenty) brings together leaders from the world’s largest and most influential economies to deliberate on global economic stability, sustainable development, climate resilience, and pressing international challenges. For smaller and developing nations like Jamaica, participation provides a platform to highlight regional concerns and advocate for fairer global systems.

An aerial image capturing the devastation of a section of Black River, St. Elizabeth, two days after Hurricane Melissa’s passage on October 28. The category-five cyclone tore roofs from buildings, inundated homes, and toppled utility poles, leaving a trail of destruction across the town. (Photo: JIS)

Holness noted that his address at the Summit will be shaped by the unprecedented devastation caused by the recent hurricane, which ravaged the island on October 28, as a Category 5 system—the most destructive in Jamaica’s history.

With the nation still dealing with widespread damage, loss, and economic strain, the prime minister emphasised that climate resilience, disaster financing, and accelerated climate action will be central to his agenda.

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Andrew Holness climate resilience G20 Leaders' Summit global economic stability Horace Chang hurricane Johannesburg South Africa sustainable development

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