Statement by H.E. Cho Tae-yul

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea

G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Session III: G20 Objectives in 2025: Reflecting on 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency High-level Deliverables and the Review of the G20@20

Johannesburg, February 21, 2025

Thank you, Minister Lamola.

Dear colleagues,

The conclusion of the first cycle of the G20 in 2025 is not just a symbolic milestone but a timely opportunity for stocktaking.

Borne out of a crisis, the course of the G20’s history has been dotted with global challenges.

From navigating the 2008 global financial crisis to coordinating responses during the COVID-19 pandemic, this forum has played a crucial role in stabilizing the global economy.

It has done so by building consensus among member countries representing roughly 1.3 billion people and a combined economic strength of about 3.1 trillion dollars.

But our challenges are becoming more complex, interconnected, and urgent than ever before, even as many multilateral bodies struggle to renew their mandates in the absence of substantial reform.

Even within the G20, we are observing increasing divergence rather than convergence.

If we, the world’s leading economies, cannot find common ground, it should not surprise us that other international organizations or fora cannot either.

That is why we must reaffirm the G20’s credibility as a continuous, predictable, and action-oriented forum.

Under the leadership of South Africa’s Presidency, our first task would be to review the first cycle with clear eyes and chart a course for the future, including a roadmap for the future presidencies as noted in the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration.

In my view, the key priorities and deliverables proposed by South African Presidency are well aligned with those of the Republic of Korea. Let me highlight just a few here.

First, Artificial Intelligence (AI).

We support the Presidency’s proposal to establish a special Task Force on AI to examine frameworks, principles, and guidelines on AI to contribute to international discourse.

Korea has been at the forefront of the global discourse on AI, actively shaping conversations across various domains.

In the area of commercial AI, we have leveraged our strengths in AI, digital and semiconductor sectors to engage in AI Summits and other key forums.

Our leadership played a pivotal role in the adoption of the Seoul Declaration during last year’s AI Seoul Summit.

We are also leading discussions in military AI, and have spearheaded efforts to adopt Blueprint for Action, during the 2nd Summit on the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) held in Seoul last September.

The Summit served as a catalyst for the first-ever UN General Assembly resolution on AI in the military domain, led jointly by the Republic of Korea and the Netherlands, and adopted with overwhelming support last November.

We stand ready to contribute our expertise to the G20’s efforts to ensure that innovation in AI delivers global benefits.

Second, Energy Transition.

As AI and other advanced technologies drive growth, they also increase energy demand. As the Presidency noted, achieving green industrialization is our common challenge.  

Utilizing diverse carbon-free energy (CFE) sources and shaping international standards can be a viable solution.

Korea has proposed Carbon Free Energy (CFE) Initiative to accelerate the adoption of zero- and low-emission technologies.

We also launched the CFE Global Working Group last October to develop globally recognized standards in this area and we will continue to work with our partners, including Japan and UAE, to facilitate international discussions on CFE standards.

Third, Partnership with Africa.

We find that the objectives of the Presidency well reflect the key aspects of the AU’s Agenda 2063.

Taking advantage of the first-ever African Presidency of the G20, we must expand the G20’s engagement with Africa.

My government’s partnership with Africa is anchored in the three pillars of the Korea-Africa Joint Declaration 2024 -- Shared Growth, Sustainability and Solidarity -- which was announced during the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul in 2024.   

Just this month, as a follow up to the Summit, we hosted the 1st Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue here in South Africa, reinforcing our commitment to fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial economic ties.  

In line with the themes set by the Presidency, Korea will continue to deepen our partnership with Africa.

Dear colleagues,

This year marks the conclusion of the G20’s first cycle and sets the stage for the next 20 years.

As we approach this milestone, the Republic of Korea looks forward to working together with the G20 members to achieve tangible progress on the priorities of the Presidency.

With a firm collective resolve, the G20 can deliver meaningful outcomes for the global community and reaffirm its standing as “the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”

Thank you. /END/