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Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council
Statements and remarks
21 November 2025 12:05

I am very glad to be in Johannesburg with Ursula von der Leyen, to represent the European Union. Africa is a strategic partner in our multipolar world. And for the very first time, we are having a G20 summit on African soil.

We are living in challenging times. Wars in Africa and Europe. Humanitarian tragedies in the Middle East. Trade tensions, supply chains being disrupted and economic coercion on the rise. And against the backdrop of global challenges, like climate change, inequality and poverty.

The EU is here to bring a simple message to our partners: The EU is here. We are a predictable, reliable, and trustworthy partner. We are here to work with our G20 partners. We are here to work together, because nobody cannot tackle global challenges alone.

South Africa made this year a success, it has used this opportunity to advance its priorities "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development" - priorities that we share in the EU.

We are taking positive steps to make the international financing architecture more inclusive, efficient and representative. To ease the debt burden that prevents developing countries from investing in their own future. To improve debt sustainability of vulnerable countries.

Climate change is blind to wealth but hurts developing countries more. The EU is here to lead the way in cutting emissions. And so is our willingness to help vulnerable countries react and adapt to this challenge. The EU is committed to supporting Africa's journey to unlock its full potential. And we are looking forward to engaging with all African Union countries at our summit with them early next week.

Finally, on critical minerals. Diversifying supply chains and reducing dependencies is a priority for the EU. Concentrated production increases geopolitical and economic risks. We must build strategic autonomy. This requires us to engage with different parts of the world and weave new partnerships while strengthening existing ones.

This is what the G20 enables us to do.

On development, on trade, on climate, on critical minerals or AI. The EU will take its responsibilities, as a big economic power in a multipolar world. But we cannot do it alone. We need all G20 members to take bold, collective action. This is what this summit is about.

As the world becomes more multipolar, we need more multilateral cooperation - not less.To paraphrase Desmond Tutu, I would say "our commitment to multilateralism is bound up in yours."

Multilateralism is not old-fashioned. Multilateralism is not outdated. Multilateralism is our best - maybe our only - defence against disruption, violence and chaos. And South Africa put multilateralism to work.

I would like to commend President Ramaphosa and the South African team. You have done an exceptional work towards reaching an agreed Leaders' outcome from this summit.

We are looking forward to the discussions ahead.

Thank you.