Türkiye to participate in G20 foreign ministers meeting in Johannesburg

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend the first G20 foreign ministers meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, scheduled for Feb. 20-21, 2025, in Johannesburg.

Fidan is set to deliver remarks at sessions focusing on “Global Geopolitical Situation” and “G20 Goals for 2025: South Africa’s Presidency, High-Level Outcomes, and G20 Accountability.”

He is expected to address Türkiye’s stance on key international and regional issues, including the conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and the Russia-Ukraine war. Additionally, he will emphasize the growing importance of the G20 platform in addressing global challenges.

Türkiye’s role in G20 and MIKTA meetings

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting, Fidan will also participate in the 27th MIKTA foreign ministers meeting, where he will deliver remarks. MIKTA is an inter-regional informal consultation platform between Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye and Australia.

Türkiye views the G20 as a vital platform for global economic cooperation and coordination, actively contributing to its initiatives. In recent years, the G20 has increasingly addressed political issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Türkiye has historically advocated for integrating global political matters into the G20 agenda, as demonstrated during its 2015 G20 Presidency.

Türkiye’s G20 presidency legacy

Türkiye successfully held the G20 presidency from Dec. 1, 2014, to Nov. 16, 2015, concluding its tenure with the Antalya G20 Leaders’ Summit. Under Türkiye’s leadership, key priorities were “Inclusivity, Implementation and Investment.”

During its presidency, Türkiye introduced global security issues into the G20 agenda, including counterterrorism and the refugee crisis. For the first time in G20 history, leaders adopted a statement on counterterrorism and endorsed the G20 Food Security and Sustainable Food Systems Action Plan.

Additionally, the Women-20 (W20) engagement group was established under Türkiye’s presidency to promote gender-inclusive economic policies. Türkiye also hosted the first-ever G20 energy ministers meeting in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2015.

South Africa’s G20 presidency priorities

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency, taking over from Brazil, on Dec. 1, 2024 under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” focusing on key priorities including:

• Strengthening disaster resilience and response mechanisms
• Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries
• Financing a just energy transition
• Utilizing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development

Understanding G20’s global role

The G20 was established to enhance representation in global economic decision-making for both advanced economies and emerging markets. The platform accounts for approximately 85% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the global population.

It consists of 19 countries along with the European Union and the African Union.

MIKTA’s role in global diplomacy

MIKTA, an informal consultation and coordination platform comprising Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Türkiye, and Australia, was established on Sept. 25, 2013.

Türkiye has previously held the MIKTA Presidency in 2017 and 2022. South Korea is set to take over the MIKTA Presidency from Mexico during a transition ceremony at the 27th MIKTA foreign ministers meeting on Feb. 20, 2025.