The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today concluded his participation in the G20 ministerial meeting in Johannesburg (South Africa), which, titled “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, brought together the Ministers for Foreign Affairs from the group’s nations, providing Albares with a forum to set out Spain's proposals and position in the new international context.
The Spanish minister, together with the other G20 participants, analysed the global geopolitical situation and issues such as climate change, food security, the reform of the financial architecture, debt sustainability, the reduction of poverty and inequalities, digital governance and the impact of artificial intelligence. In this regard, Albares reaffirmed at all times Spain's commitment to multilateralism and to forums for dialogue such as the G20.
Commitment to peace in the Middle East and Ukraine
Albares put forward Spain's proposals on the pressing issues that require a response from the international community, from the conflict in the Middle East, where he supported the implementation of the two-State solution, which would see the State of Israel coexist with the State of Palestine in peace and security, to the search for a just and lasting peace that ends Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which both Ukraine and Europe must necessarily be a part of.
The minister also took part in a meeting between EU Member States, the High Representative and Norway to coordinate their common position on the situation in Ukraine. During his various interventions in the G20 sessions, Albares reiterated Spain's unequivocal support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and advocated peace negotiations that must include the democratic Government of Ukraine and the European voice, and operate on the principles of the United Nations Charter.
International Conference on Financing for Development
The Spanish minister highlighted the opportunity that the International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Seville in late June, represents. It is the first to be held in a Western country, ten years after the last conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is a key opportunity to promote new initiatives and ambitious commitments for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bilateral meetings
Minister Albares' participation in this G20 ministerial meeting also facilitated bilateral meetings, such as the encounter with his counterparts from South Africa, Algeria, Canada, South Korea and Türkiye, as well as with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, among others.
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