The Foreign Minister warned during the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting about the growing debt burden faced by poor and middle-income countries. She also highlighted the seriousness of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Israel’s war in Gaza, and related violations of international law and United Nations guidelines.

“All this puts the world in a more precarious situation and, as the G20, we must try to develop responses that can be implemented,” she said.

The minister asserted that financing from multilateral development banks will be needed for developing countries to achieve greater progress in the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Increased financing and development support could be ensured through active support to stop illicit financial flows to and between African countries,” which fuel corruption, undermine the rule of law and market stability, although little has been done to address them, she said.

Pandor emphasized that the G20 could do a lot to strengthen its important role in addressing this drain of resources from developing countries.

In her words, “the international tension we see requires balanced and fair approaches to global challenges, respect for the diversity of opinions and beliefs and acceptance that global bodies are most successful when they act in equal interests of all.”

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