Addressing Global Challenges Amidst US Absence and China's Multilateralism

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet in Johannesburg

The G20 Foreign Minister Meeting convened at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on February 20, 2025. This year's meeting, held under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," marked the first time an African country presided over the international forum.

The meeting took place amidst ongoing conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and was further complicated by the absence of the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped the meeting, criticizing host South Africa's policies as anti-American. The US was represented by Dana Brown, the deputy chief of mission at the American embassy in Pretoria.

Despite the US absence, over 30 countries were represented at the meeting, including Russia, India, France, and the UK. South Africa's G20 presidency prioritized "disaster resilience, debt sustainability, just energy transition, and critical minerals for inclusive growth." Wars and conflicts in Africa and Europe were also key themes of discussion.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting, emphasizing China's commitment to multilateralism and its willingness to work with all parties to make the meeting productive. China's role in the G20 is being closely watched, as the country seeks to play an important role in addressing complex international issues and advocating for a more just international order.

The G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting presented both challenges and opportunities for member countries. While the absence of the US created hurdles for cooperation and consensus, the meeting also served as a test of the international community's commitment to finding common ground and pushing for multilateralism.