Maria Zakharova describes upcoming G20 foreign ministers' meeting in South Africa as landmark event

The G20 foreign ministers will meet in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 20-21 February. This is a landmark event not only for South Africa, but also for the entire African continent, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

She noted that South Africa would be hosting a G20 event for the first time. According to the diplomat, the Russian delegation will be headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is scheduled to have a number of contacts with his colleagues. It is expected that most of the G20 participants, as well as a wide range of invited states and international organisations will be represented at a similar level.

"At the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers, topical issues of integrity and effective functioning of the world economic system will be considered. The priorities set by the South Africans are designed to stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality and imbalances, and ensure fair access to finance for countries of the Global South"

Maria Zakharova Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson

She added that Lavrov will give a detailed analysis of the international situation in his speech. According to Zakharova, the Russian side will ‘reaffirm the course for preserving the central role of the UN in world affairs’ and will also call for maintaining the open nature of the world economy. The Russian Foreign Minister will pay special attention to the interaction of countries in BRICS, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as well as the Russian initiative of the Greater Eurasian Partnership.

South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 on 1 December 2024. According to the President of the Republic Cyril Ramaphosa, among the country's main priorities for this period are strengthening support for the states of the Global South, increasing access to development finance and adapting to climate change.

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry