South Africa Wraps Up Groundbreaking G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
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Synopsis
South Africa has successfully concluded the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which addressed a plethora of global issues. Minister Ronald Lamola hailed the event as historic, marking the first G20 meeting of its kind on the African continent.
Key Takeaways
- Historic meeting hosted in South Africa.
- Focus on global geopolitical environment.
- Priorities include debt sustainability and energy transition.
- Concerns raised over slow progress on SDGs.
- Support pledged for peace initiatives in conflict zones.
Johannesburg, Feb 22 (NationPress) South Africa has successfully wrapped up the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, addressing a variety of global challenges.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, referred to the gathering as historic during a media briefing following the meeting, which commenced on Thursday and concluded on Friday in Johannesburg, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Lamola stated, “The inaugural G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting under South Africa's presidency was historic as it marked the first such meeting on the African continent.” He emphasized that the meeting was very productive, featuring high-level strategic discussions regarding the global geopolitical landscape and its implications for their initiatives.
According to him, the meeting demonstrated backing for South Africa's G20 presidency theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, as well as its key priorities and significant deliverables. These priorities encompass enhancing disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income nations, mobilizing financing for a just energy transition, and leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth and development.
He stated, “The South African presidency acknowledged the constructive discussions and contributions regarding the various priorities and significant deliverables that will enrich our efforts as we delve deeper into these topics during 2025.” Lamola assured that all expressed views would be taken into account as they advance their work this year, expressing anticipation for the active engagement and contributions from all delegations.
He highlighted that the G20 voiced concerns over the sluggish progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged an acceleration in efforts towards this achievement. Furthermore, the G20 foreign ministers reaffirmed their collective responsibility in fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global growth, a fundamental aspect of the wider multilateral system, according to Lamola.
Discussing ongoing conflicts and wars in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, the meeting reiterated that all nations must act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as stated by the minister.
Lamola also pointed out that the G20 committed to supporting peace initiatives in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other significant global conflicts.
The meeting emphasized the necessity to reform the international system of global governance, including the international financial architecture, the multilateral trading system, and the multilateral development banks.
On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated the meeting, urging global leaders to adopt inclusivity, cooperation, and reform as South Africa takes on the G20 presidency for the first time.
