South Africa on Friday concluded the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, marking the first time the event was held on African soil under South Africa’s presidency. The two-day gathering saw high-level discussions on global geopolitical challenges and key priorities impacting the international community.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, described the meeting as “historic” and “very productive” during a press briefing. He emphasized the significance of hosting the first G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the African continent, highlighting strategic discussions on global geopolitical dynamics and their implications.
The meeting demonstrated strong support for South Africa’s G20 presidency theme, “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” which outlines priorities such as enhancing disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, and utilizing critical minerals for inclusive growth.
Lamola stated, “The South African presidency took note of the fruitful discussions and inputs on the various priorities and high-level deliverables, which will enrich our work as we elaborate in-depth on these in the various streams of work during 2025.” He assured that all perspectives shared during the meeting would be considered, encouraging active participation from all delegations throughout the year.
The G20 foreign ministers also expressed concern about the slow progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and called for accelerated efforts. They reaffirmed the G20’s collective commitment to fostering sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global growth, highlighting its importance in the broader multilateral system.
Addressing conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, the meeting reiterated the necessity for all states to act in accordance with the UN Charter’s principles. Lamola further noted the G20’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other conflict zones worldwide.
Additionally, the gathering underscored the need for reforming global governance systems, including the international financial architecture, multilateral trading system, and development banks.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated the meeting on Thursday, urging global leaders to embrace inclusivity, cooperation, and reform as South Africa navigates its first G20 presidency.
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg not only marked a historic milestone for South Africa but also set the stage for continued dialogue on global issues crucial to sustainable development and international cooperation.