EAM Jaishankar Set to Attend G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg

Synopsis

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Johannesburg on February 20-21 for the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the invitation of South Africa's Ronald Lamola. This participation aims to enhance India's relations with G20 nations and elevate the Global South's voice in crucial discussions.

Key Takeaways

EAM S. Jaishankar to attend G20 FMM in Johannesburg.
Meeting to emphasize Global South representation.
First FMM under South Africa's G20 Presidency.
Focus on critical global issues like inequality and climate change.
Potential bilateral meetings on the agenda.

New Delhi/Johannesburg, Feb 19 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa from February 20-21 to engage in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) at the invitation of Ronald Lamola, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday.

EAM's participation in the G20 FMM is expected to enhance India's connections with G20 nations and amplify the representation of the Global South within this significant platform. The MEA noted that EAM is likely to conduct several bilateral meetings during the FMM.

This meeting marks the inaugural Foreign Ministers' Meeting during South Africa's term as G20 President, which is guided by the theme 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'.

South Africa's G20 Presidency commenced on December 1, 2024, and will last until November 30, just five years ahead of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda deadline.

Upon taking on this role, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africa's G20 Presidency is set against the backdrop of numerous interlinked crises, such as climate change, underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, unemployment, technological shifts, and geopolitical instability.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that he will not attend the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting due to escalating tensions between South Africa and the United States.

In response, Ronald Lamola remarked that since taking over the G20 presidency from Brazil, South Africa has aimed to address several issues, including the growing indebtedness impacting emerging economies.

“Solidarity promotes collective problem-solving. Our G20 presidency is not limited to climate change but also involves fair treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring an equitable global framework for everyone. These are key principles that we are eager to pursue and discuss with the United States,” Lamola stated.