Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Abu Bakr Hefny Mahmoud, has attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty. Speaking on 21 February during the general session of the two-day meeting, Mahmoud outlined Egypt's position on the G20's priorities for 2025. The Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed Egypt's support for the South African presidency's priorities for the G20, noting they reflected the interests of developing countries, particularly Africa's Agenda 2063 for development. He emphasised Egypt's commitment to cooperating on these priorities to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through enhanced access to financing for developing countries, including debt-for-climate swaps, the use of modern technology, particularly artificial intelligence, and enhanced water and food security. Mahmoud also highlighted the challenges facing the world, particularly the increase in unilateralism and protectionism, stressing the importance of international solidarity and cooperation to address these issues. He focused on the role the G20 could play in addressing imbalances in the global financial architecture, particularly by increasing access to concessional financing. He stressed the importance of avoiding a situation where developing countries are forced to choose between tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development, stating both are necessary. Mahmoud noted the Group's potential to ensure that the practices of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks are equitable and able to provide solutions tailored to the needs of developing countries. He further highlighted the need to manage debt burdens in a way that ensures macroeconomic stability in low- and middle-income countries, avoiding a new global debt crisis. Egypt is participating in the G20 meetings this year at the invitation of South Africa, the current G20 president, as a guest nation across all meetings until the end of the South African presidency in November 2025.
