South Africa has successfully concluded the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, marking a historic moment as the first such gathering to be held on African soil. The two-day meeting, which commenced on Thursday in Johannesburg, addressed a range of pressing global issues.
South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola described the event as “historic” and “very productive,” highlighting its significance under South Africa’s G20 presidency. He emphasized that the high-level discussions focused on the global geopolitical landscape and its influence on international cooperation.
“The first G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under South Africa’s presidency was historic as it was the first ever G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the African continent,” Lamola stated during a media briefing. He noted that the deliberations reinforced the presidency’s theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability’, as well as its key priorities and deliverables.
According to Lamola, the meeting prioritized critical issues such as enhancing disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income nations, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, and leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth and development.
Read also: South Africa’s G20 presidency will focus on climate finance and debt relief
“The South African presidency took note of the insightful discussions and valuable inputs on these priorities,” he said. “These contributions will shape our ongoing work throughout 2025 as we deepen our engagement in various streams.”
A key concern raised during the meeting was the slow progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with calls for an accelerated approach to meet global targets. The ministers reaffirmed the G20’s collective responsibility in promoting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global growth, which remains vital to the broader multilateral system.
Discussions also focused on ongoing conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The meeting reiterated the importance of adherence to the United Nations Charter, urging all states to act in line with its principles. Additionally, the G20 committed to supporting peace efforts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other conflict zones worldwide.
The meeting underscored the need for comprehensive reforms in global governance systems, including the international financial architecture, multilateral trade frameworks, and development banking institutions. This aligns with South Africa’s broader push for a more equitable and representative global order.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed the opening session on Thursday, urged global leaders to champion inclusivity, cooperation, and reform as South Africa leads the G20 for the first time. He called for a unified approach to tackling global challenges, emphasizing the importance of Africa’s voice in shaping international policies.
As South Africa steers the G20 presidency, the outcomes of this landmark meeting are expected to influence key global policy directions and set the stage for deeper international collaboration in 2025.
