Post #2665

🇿🇦 South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, delivered an interim summary of his country’s historic first Presidency of the #GroupofTwenty. During a recent dedicated briefing for the local diplomatic corps, the following key points were emphasized: 📆 Over 50 G20 meetings of various levels, including ministerial sessions, have been held. 🌍 There is broad support within the #G20, as well as among invited states and international organizations, for the cooperation priorities proposed by South Africa. The following independent and significant areas are highlighted as particularly noteworthy: 🟢 Reform of the multilateral trading system (MTS) and the global financial architecture; 🟢 Promotion of inclusivity, equity, and meaningful participation; 🟢 Efforts to counter climate change; 🟢 International cooperation in taxation and combating illicit financial flows. ‼️ Mr. Lamola expressed“collective concern over the rise of protectionism and unilateral measures that undermine the MTS.” In this regard, he called for mutually acceptable solutions on agenda issues and emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to the G20's consensus-based decision-making mechanism. 🗓️ He also confirmed South Africa’s intention to host the 2nd Social Summit in November.