Lamola urges cooperation on debt, conflict at G20 meeting
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola emphasised the need for stronger global cooperation to combat poverty, armed conflict, and climate change.
Lamola addressed a delegation of various ministries at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
The meeting aligns with South Africa’s G20 presidency’s theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.
On the sidelines, Lamola engaged in bilateral talks with officials from Brazil, Singapore, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Nations, outlining South Africa’s G20 priorities and its stance on pressing global issues.
As G20 President, South Africa has identified four key focus areas:
- Strengthening disaster resilience and response
- Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries
- Mobilising climate finance for a just energy transition
- Harnessing critical minerals for sustainable development.
“We currently find ourselves at a pivotal moment in global trade. Geo-economic pressures—whether from supply chain disruptions, trade restrictions, unilateral sanctions, or economic coercion—are reshaping the international marketplace,” he said.
The minister warned that widening geopolitical divisions are fueling distrust, reversing progress on issues such as gender equality, and escalating conflicts across multiple continents.
“The G20 is primarily preoccupied with matters related to international economic cooperation,” Lamola noted.
With many developing economies burdened by high borrowing costs, Lamola urged G20 leaders to prioritise debt relief, particularly for African nations.
He also stressed the need for dialogue and multilateralism to ease rising global tensions.
“It is instructive that we, as the G20, support the restoration of global stability and common purpose. To do so, we must recommit to the principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability by emphasizing dialogue, multilateralism, and finding common ground to address global challenges,” he said.
Lamola concluded by urging the G20 to support peace and conflict resolution efforts, particularly in Africa, Gaza, and Ukraine.
“We are concerned by the worsening conflict situation in parts of Africa, particularly in Sudan and the eastern DRC. South Africa recently lost 14 brave soldiers in peacekeeping missions. We call on the G20 to support efforts to silence the guns in Africa for the attainment of inclusive development and prosperity,” he said.
The minister welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, emphasising the need for a global commitment to peace and nuclear disarmament.
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