President Jacob Zuma arrived in L'Aquila, Italy, on Wednesday to attend the G8 summit, the Presidency said.
Zuma was leading a South African delegation that included International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.
South Africa was attending the summit as a member of the Group of Five (G5) developing countries - comprised of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa.
"The G5 brings together the largest developing economies in the world around a common agenda for equitable and sustainable development," the presidency said in a statement.
Zuma would attend a G5 summit later on Wednesday.
Issues to be discussed included the world economic crisis and its impact on the developing world, food security, climate change, future G5 collaboration, and reforming the United Nations and other multilateral forums and institutions.
The G5 and G8 leaders will hold a joint working session on Thursday to address global issues and challenges facing developing countries.
Zuma will return to South Africa on Friday.