Statement

by

H.E. Téte António, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola and AU G20 Head of Delegation

at

1^ST G20 FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING

OF SOUTH AFRICA’S G20 PRESIDENCY

20 AND 21 FEBRUARY 2025, JOHANNESBURG,

SOUTH AFRICA

 

• CONTEXT

1. The 1^st G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency takes place in an international and regional context characterized by heighten regional tensions in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whilst the ceasefire in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel has provided a relief, it’s still fragile, and the situation remains volatile and uncertain amid various proposed plans for the reconstruction of Gaza.

 

2. Regarding, the conflict in Ukraine, the US and Russia met on 18 February 2025 in Saudi Arabia to discuss a plan to end the conflict. However, the absence of Ukraine at the meeting raises concerns over the acceptance and implementation of future outcomes.

 

3. In addition to the threats of unilateral trade sanctions against several G20 members, including South Africa; and temporary suspension of USAID Operations, which may have some political consequences in the mid-term, statements of the new US Administration regarding the Greenland and Gaza have triggered a wave of reactions and are still being assessed.

 

4. Against this background, the African Union as an inter-governmental organization should at the Johannesburg G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting reaffirm its commitment to stronger multilateralism and international economic cooperation.

 

5. The 1^st G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting under the South African G20 Presidency will cover two main issues: (i) discussion on the global geopolitical situation; and (ii) G20 objectives in 2025: reflection on South Africa’s G20 Presidency High-Level deliverables and the review of the G20 @20.

 

6. The meeting will take place for two days and will be officially opened by the President of the Republic South Africa, H.E. Mr. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa.

 

7. G20 members, including the African Union, will be given 05 minutes to deliver a statement on each of the issues.

 

• DRAFT SPEAKING NOTES

 

SESSION I- DISCUSSION ON THE GLOBAL GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION

 

• Excellencies;
• Distinguished Colleagues;

• Let me begin by thanking the South Africa’s G20 Presidency for convening the 1^st G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in this beautiful city of Johannesburg.

 

• I wish to register my delegation’s appreciation for the excellent meeting arrangements and the courtesies accorded to us since our arrival.

 

• I am pleased to lead the African Union Delegation at this important meeting, following the successful conclusion of the 38^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government last weekend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during which my country, Angola assumed the Chairmanship of the African Union during 2025.

 

• I look forward to advancing the issues for consideration by G20 Foreign Ministers, with a view to making our world a place where peace, stability, inclusiveness, environmental sustainability and economic progress drive us to a better and secure future for all.

 

• Mr. Chairperson;
• Distinguished Colleagues,

•  The world is at crossroad with several emerging and enduring international and regional geopolitical tensions, as it is the case in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and the Sahel region.

 

• Whilst Africa welcomes the ceasefire in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel, as it provides a relief for the thousands of innocent civilians; the cease fire is fragile and precarious, and the situation remains highly volatile amid various proposed plans for the reconstruction of Gaza.

 

• The African Union continues to stand by its position of a two states solution as the only viable path to peace between Israel and Palestine.

 

• With respect to Ukraine, the African Union notes the important step taken by the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia towards ending the conflict, however we call for inclusiveness in order to attain durable peace in that part of Europe.

 

• The disruption of global supply chains as a result of the fragmentation of international trade is not favorable to our economic stability. As the premier forum for International Economic Corporation, we need to address this challenge with a sense of urgency. In this respect, the African Union reaffirms its commitment to stronger multilateralism and international economic cooperation.

 

• In this context, the G20 can no longer shy away from the consequences of geopolitical tensions on the world economy The G20 should in this respect contribute to promoting global dialogue, foster openness to build trust, and embrace the new and evolving global order.

 

• When we met in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly for our 2^nd meeting under the Brazil G20 Presidency, we adopted a Call to Action, which provides a basis for the design of a new world order, informed by discussions at the United Nations, and taking into consideration the new demographic and economic realities of the 21^st century. We must build on this.

 

• The African Union also reaffirms support to the reference by South Africa’s G20 Presidency to “Ubuntu”, This African philosophy of togetherness is important for united and impactful global action.

 

• As we take action, in solving common challenges such as Climate Change. Let me re-emphasize the importance of collective commitment to renewed globalization in line with the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.   

 

• I will end by reaffirming our commitment to geopolitical issues being confined to the Sherpas and Foreign Ministers, who are better placed to craft appropriate language for the G20 Leaders’ Declaration.

 

• I thank you for your kind attention.

 

SESSION II- G20 OBJECTIVES IN 2025: REFLECTION ON SOUTH AFRICA’S G20 PRESIDENCY HIGH-LEVEL DELIVERABLES AND THE REVIEW OF THE G20 @20

 

The African Union welcomes the objectives of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

 

• We note the strong alignment between South Africa’s G20 Presidency and African Union Agenda 2063 goals and aspirations.

 

• More specifically, the main deliverable of Taskforce 1 on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialization, Employment and Inequality, resonates with the African Union Strategic Framework on Key Actions to Achieve Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa. This Strategic Framework was adopted at the recently concluded Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government.

 

• In addition, the deliverables Under the Task Force 2 on Food Security are aligned with the African Union’s Post Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) whose key objectives are agricultural transformation, food security and nutrition, inclusive growth and sustainable development.

 

• There are also strong linkages between the deliverables under the Task Force 3 on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development and Africa’s priorities. In effect, the “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) for Africa Initiative aims to accelerate the implementation of the AU Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The creation of a Technology Policy Assistance Facility to support the development of national strategies, policies and laws for G20 members and the global South generally is also in alignment with our programmes.

 

• The G20 Compact with Africa (CWA) is also a priority for the African Union. At the moment, thirteen African countries have joined the Compact. As the African Union implements the Strategic Framework on Key Actions to Achieve Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa, it is important that all African countries embrace the spirit of broad economic reforms that are necessary to attract the massive investments that are required. In this respect, we are striving for all African Countries to be in the Compact with Africa. 

 

• We also call on all members of the G20 to join the Compact with Africa.

 

• The Cost of Capital Commission, which will review credit rating agencies’ methodologies and consider alternative options, is also very attuned to Africa’s priorities. In effect, African countries pay exorbitant interest rates to access capital in financial markets, often due to unfair and biased rating by credit rating agencies.

 

• The African Union therefore looks forward to the recommendations of the Cost of the Commission.

 

• The African Union welcomes the review process of the G20 @ 20.

 

• As I conclude, let me reiterate the African Union’s support to the objectives and priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. We are committed to working with South Africa to ensure a successful G20 Presidency.

 

• I end here and thank you for your kind attention.