Humanitarian issues to be high on the agenda
More than 500 delegates from different countries have gathered in the southern Italian city of Matera for a meeting of senior G20 foreign ministers and development ministers. Italy’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday the list of participants was expanded beyond the traditional limits by inviting representatives from a number of non-G20 countries, including African countries.
One of the leitmotifs of the meeting will be humanitarian issues and themes of sustainable and equitable development. The pandemic exposed some of the problems of existing systems, both sanitary and commercial, and provides an opportunity to rebuild a more “equitable and inclusive society,” said Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio at the opening session.
“The pandemic demonstrated the need to transcend national boundaries and respond internationally to global challenges. Italy supports effective multipolarity under the auspices of the UN”, – Di Maio said.
Representatives from Brazil, China and Australia are participating by videoconference. Russia is represented by a delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin.
Heads of delegations were welcomed in the neighbouring city of Bari the day before. Some delegates travelled to Matera, the UNESCO World Heritage City of the Caves, by special train, the host city said.