G20 Foreign Ministers Convene In South Africa Amid Global Tensions

South Africa hosted 20 foreign ministers for the first time, calling for cooperation in the face of rising global tensions.

South Africa calls for Cooperation at G20 meeting:

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Thursday. He urged global leaders to prioritise cooperation despite rising tensions and conflicts. The two-day event, held in Johannesburg, is the first time Africa has hosted such high-level talks. However, the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overshadowed the meeting.

The importance of Multilateralism:

Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of the United Nations Charter, multilateralism, and international law, calling them the foundation for global unity. He stated, “These principles should remain at the centre of all our efforts.” He also highlighted key global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, war, climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity. 

United States absence:

Ramaphosa dismissed concerns about a strained relationship with the US. He said Rubio’s absence is not a train smash. The US was still represented by its deputy chief of mission in Pretoria. He expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would smooth out any disagreements between Washington and Pretoria.

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Rubio defended his decision to skip the event. He stated, “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.” The US and South Africa have clashed on several issues, particularly Pretoria’s stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Deep Divisions in the G20:

The G20 consists of 19 countries along with the European and African Unions, which remains deeply divided. The key disagreements revolve around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and climate change policies. Many nations are also adjusting to significant policy shifts from Washington since US President Donald Trump’s return to office.

Ramaphosa stressed that diplomacy must remain the preferred approach. He urged, “The G20 must continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions.” He called on world leaders to find common ground through constructive engagement.

Russia’s presence sparks controversy:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended the meeting alongside his Chinese and Indian counterparts. However, tensions ran high, and disagreements were evident when a planned group photograph was cancelled after several nations refused to stand next to Lavrov. South Africa has been criticised for its ties with Russia, particularly for its refusal to condemn the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Pretoria has maintained a neutral stance, thus advocating for dialogue rather than taking sides.

Africa’s role on the Global stage:

South Africa became the first African nation to hold the G20 meeting. At the meeting, the country addressed the continent’s concerns, and the president stressed the need for sustainable development.

One of South Africa’s top priorities is strengthening climate resilience. Ramaphosa called for urgent support to help developing nations manage climate-related disasters. He also pushed for better debt sustainability to ease the financial burdens on poorer countries.