JOHANNESBURG, 8 June, 2021 (TON): South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed his attendance at the G7 Leaders Meeting to be held on 13 June in the U.K.

On Monday, the media cited the President saying in a statement that South Africa was invited to attend the gathering after the country that chaired the African Union in 2020, played a crucial role in the continent's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said free and fair trade; the global recovery from the pandemic; and climate change would be discussed at the meeting.

The platform is an opportunity to deal with the issue of vaccines and to ensure that intellectual property rights are waved, Ramaphosa said.

"I will be presenting the clear signals that our country is emerging from the devastation wrought by the pandemic," he said.

"These gatherings also give us an opportunity to promote our continent as a destination for investment."

The G7 includes the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US, however, it will be hosted by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Cornwall in South West England from 11-13 June.