Elizabeth Antidius Shumbusho | Africa Guardian
Top diplomats from G20 countries will gather in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20 and 21, as part of the Group of Twenty ministerial meeting. This announcement was made by Marat Berdyev, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador at Large, who confirmed the event through his Telegram channel.
The South African presidency officially revealed the ministerial gathering, which will address key global challenges. Nations from diverse geographical regions and a variety of international organizations will participate in the discussions. The primary focus will be on the ongoing geopolitical situation, along with strategies to advance Pretoria’s priorities for strengthening the global economy. These efforts will be rooted in the principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
Russia has already begun preparing for its role in the discussions, with Berdyev emphasizing Moscow’s intent to promote a constructive dialogue for shaping a fair and democratic world order. Russia’s approach will be grounded in the principles outlined by the United Nations Charter, including sovereign equality, non-interference in domestic affairs, and the self-determination of peoples, while also advocating for the ultimate dismantling of colonial legacies.
South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 on December 1, 2024, taking over from Brazil. The theme of South Africa’s presidency, “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” will be reflected in over 130 events throughout the year. These will include four meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors, as well as two meetings of foreign ministers. The culmination of the presidency will be a summit scheduled for November 30, 2025, when South Africa will hand over the G20 presidency to the United States.
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