South African President speaks of Africa's growing role at G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Johannesburg

The G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 20 February. Fifteen Foreign Ministers and four Deputy Foreign Ministers arrived for the meeting.

The event was opened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He emphasised that the G20 leaders' summit will be held in Africa for the first time, which stresses the growing importance of the continent in global economic, political, and environmental discussions.

The South African leader noted that countries need to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

"The nations of the world look to the G20 for leadership on the most pressing issues confronting our world. Just as cooperation supported the progress of early humans, our modern-day challenges can only be resolved through collaboration, partnership, and solidarity. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality, and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency. The G20 must also seek to reflect the needs and aspirations of all people who call this planet home"

Cyril Ramaphosa President of South Africa

He also recalled South Africa's priorities for the G20 Presidency, which include building resilience to natural disasters and ensuring the financial stability of low-income states, financing a just energy transition, and utilising minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

A number of bilateral meetings were also held on the margins of the Foreign Ministers' meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Ramaphosa and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Talking to his Chinese counterpart, Lavrov said that Russia and China will continue to work together in the United Nations (UN), BRICS, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G20.

Besides, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, according to ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.

"Delighted to meet Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira today in Johannesburg. Discussed bilateral ties, global developments, our work in the G20, and Brazil's BRICS Presidency," the Indian Foreign Minister wrote on social media.

In addition to representatives of the foreign ministries of the G20 countries, ministers from non-G20 countries such as Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and others have been invited to the meeting.

The approaches agreed by the Foreign Ministers at the two-day meeting will be elaborated by the G20 working groups. As a result, they will prepare a draft declaration, which will be presented to the G20 Foreign Ministers at the meeting in the summer. The document will then be submitted to the leaders of the association's states for approval.

The G20 summit will be held in November 2025 in Johannesburg.

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry