UPDATE 2 - G20 foreign ministers' meeting kicks off in US amid global tensions
- Atlanta hosting 2-day meeting chaired by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address economic and security challenges
Loading…
Loading…
- Atlanta hosting 2-day meeting chaired by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address economic and security challenges
ADDS MORE DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK
By Diyar Guldogan
ATLANTA, US (AA) - A G20 foreign ministers’ meeting kicked off in the US on Friday, bringing together top diplomats from the world’s leading economies for two days of discussions of pressing global economic challenges, geopolitical tensions, and international security issues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting the gathering in the Southern city of Atlanta, Georgia, where the main focus will be on economic growth, energy and food security, freedom of navigation, and the resilience of global supply chains.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran, which continue to raise concerns about regional stability and their impact on the global economy.
The meeting began directly with Rubio's opening remarks, without a family photo ceremony.
The absence of the traditional photo came after several European officials indicated they would not appear alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the gathering, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was asked whether he would participate in a group photo with Lavrov.
“I assume there will be no family photograph at all,” he said, adding that European partners would not appear in a picture alongside the Russian foreign minister. “There is no normality with Russia,” Wadephul said.
Addressing the opening session, Rubio urged G20 members to work together to tackle interconnected economic and geopolitical crises, warning of growing threats to global energy and food supplies, international trade, and freedom of navigation.
Rubio described the current period as a “moment of choosing,” saying the challenges facing the US also have implications for the rest of the world.
- 'Series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises'
“We are facing a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises, many of which pose severe threats to essential foundations of the global economic order,” said Rubio.
He identified disruptions to global energy and food supplies, supply chains, trade, and freedom of navigation as major challenges requiring a coordinated response.
Rubio called on G20 partners to strengthen economic resilience, safeguard markets, and protect the economies that depend on them.
He also stressed the role of foreign ministers and political leaders in coordinating responses to emerging crises and protecting shared interests.
“By translating our shared interests into practical cooperation and real action, we can reinforce global stability and, more importantly, deliver meaningful results for our citizens,” he said.
Rubio said the assembled officials faced a busy two-day agenda, with the opening plenary session focusing on freedom of navigation and food security.
- Issues Turkish foreign minister expected to address
Participants include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Lavrov.
Fidan is set to address the situation in the Gaza Strip, tensions between the US and Iran, and the importance of safeguarding strategic maritime routes. He is also expected to underline Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional security and stability.
Lavrov, who is leading the Russian delegation, is expected to call for greater economic cooperation and equal dialogue among G20 members. Moscow has also criticized Washington’s decision to exclude South Africa from the G20 process, calling for its membership rights to be restored.
US President Donald Trump earlier announced that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the 2026 summit. The decision followed Washington’s boycott of the Johannesburg summit and stemmed from Trump’s claims of persecution of white farmers in South Africa.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum bringing together the world's major advanced and emerging economies to discuss and coordinate global economic policies and address key international challenges.
Established in 1999 in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, its membership now consists of 19 countries and the European Union and the African Union, which joined in 2023.
Diyar Güldoğan