Minister Joly traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa, for G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
News release
February 20, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that she is traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa, from February 19 to 21, 2025, to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Minister Joly will meet with her counterparts to discuss pressing geopolitical issues, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the crisis in Haiti. She will also address peace and security issues in Africa, particularly in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While in Johannesburg, Minister Joly will meet with Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and chair of the meeting. They will exchange views on shared priorities in the context of Canada and South Africa holding the respective G7 and G20 presidencies in 2025.
Throughout her visit, Minister Joly will reaffirm Canada’s commitment to supporting global peace and security, advancing human rights and strengthening international cooperation to address shared challenges.
Quotes
“I look forward to engaging with my G20 counterparts in Johannesburg to address the critical foreign policy issues of our time. Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to working with its international partners to build a stable, just and sustainable global future for all.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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Canada established diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939. They maintain a deep and broad relationship based on shared values of democracy, security and prosperity. Canada’s anti-apartheid efforts within the Commonwealth in the 1980s and our support towards the establishment of a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, democratic society in South Africa strengthened the ties between our countries.
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Canada and South Africa are both members of a number of multilateral organizations, including the Commonwealth and the G20, and collaborate on important issues such as women’s empowerment, the environment and climate action, and regional security.
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The G20 is the primary forum for international economic cooperation among the world’s leading developed and emerging economies. It was formed in 1999 amid the Asian financial crisis to coordinate macroeconomic policy and financial responses among members.
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In 2008, the G20 Summit was elevated to include heads of state and governments in response to the 2008 financial crisis. Since then, G20 leaders have met yearly to discuss pressing global issues, with dedicated ministerial workstreams to address finance, trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy and climate change issues, among others.
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The G20 comprises 19 countries and 2 regional unions. The African Union became the G20’s 21st member in 2023.
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