Tánaiste meets global leaders at G20 Summit in South Africa

Tánaiste Simon Harris spoke with Foreign Ministers at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a focus on economic growth and resolving global conflicts.

Ireland joined the G20 as a guest country as part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency throughout 2025.

The Tánaiste called for a renewed focus on inclusive economic growth and the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Tánaiste said: "The first African Presidency of the G20 marks a significant moment for African leadership in global economic governance.

"At a time of economic uncertainty, it is vital that we look not only at how to maintain growth but how to ensure that growth is inclusive.

"Ireland’s participation provides us an important opportunity to help resolve global challenges through the G20.

"Particular areas of focus for Irish engagement at the G20 throughout 2025 will include global food security, harnessing innovation for inclusive growth, and climate financing and the energy transition."

The G20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum comprising the world’s leading economies to discuss international economic and financial stability.

Addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers, the Tánaiste said it was imperative for countries to work together to end conflicts that were fuelling hunger, poverty and displacement globally.

Speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, the Tánaiste said: "Ireland continues to condemn Russia’s illegal war and its ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s civilian population.

"We need to see a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

“Ukraine must be central to any process, and must determine the timing and terms of any agreement. Ireland and its EU partners continue to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine.”

The Tánaiste also met briefly with the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and invited him to visit Ireland in the near future.

Speaking about the importance of the G20, he added:

“It is welcome that this gathering meets in Africa for the first time, a dynamic continent whose voice must carry greater weight.

"South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency at a challenging time. While the multilateral system is not perfect, international cooperation is essential if we are to address the many global challenges before us."

The Tánaiste also held bilateral meetings with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, Japan’s Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs María Teresa Mercad Pérez, and South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.

On his bilateral engagements at the G20, the Tánaiste said: “Having the opportunity to speak directly with Foreign Ministers from the diverse range of countries represented at the G20 is a welcome opportunity to promote Ireland, our policies and our values.”

Founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis of 1997/98, the G20 works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development, through annual meetings of Heads of State and Heads of Government.