Remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting, Skukuza, Republic of South Africa, October 30, 2025
30 October 2025 13:52
1813-30-10-2025
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
On behalf of the Russian Federation I commend South Africa for convening this Ministerial Meeting. This is a good opportunity for exploring where G20 stands in the international anti-corruption landscape and determining the priorities of its future action.
It is significant that the first African G20 Presidency is held in the year of an important anniversary for this continent: sixty five years ago, on the initiative of the Soviet Union, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. This was a crucial step towards the formation of the current global multipolar environment which is characterized by the consolidation of emerging centres of growth with no room for anyone's hegemony. G20 is actually a good example of this trend.
However, persistent neocolonial practices such as illegitimate economic sanctions, protectionism and attempts to replace the universally recognised international legal framework by a rule-based order convenient for the few are being registered. These disgraceful practices must be condemned and rejected. They do nothing but trigger the multiplication of conflicts and crises across the world. Interstate relations must be built on mutual respect of sovereignty and national interests. Economy should not be kept hostage of political ambitions.
These are the prerequisites for countries to build a strong anti-corruption potential. This is particularly relevant in the year that marks another anniversary, namely twenty years since the entry into force of the UN Convention against Corruption. Russia was among the first countries to join this universal treaty and has made a considerable progress in establishing and setting in motion its national anti-corruption architecture. Russia sees the G20 anti-corruption track as a valuable platform for supporting countries' efforts by sharing knowledge and expertise in the field. We have welcomed the versatile anti-corruption priorities of the South African Presidency consonant with our domestic action.
The Russian Federation strongly advocates for stepping up international anti-corruption action within the binding legal framework and on the principles of mutual respect. However, we have registered a considerable backsliding in some organisations and multilateral bodies, where the legitimate rights and full membership of countries are seriously hampered. We also see the growing number of requests of extradition and mutual legal assistance being ignored by certain jurisdictions. This situation favours only the perpetrators by allowing them to escape justice.
Russia attaches particular importance to asset recovery. For ages, international organisations have reported a very limited amount of proceeds of crime being returned and the persistent barriers states face. My country is deeply concerned about the lack of progress in this area. Being a consistent proponent of cooperation which is free from intervention into domestic affairs of other states, Russia insists on full respect of the sovereign right of requesting states to dispose of the assets returned without any preconditions being imposed by requested states. Russia condemns the illegal practices of seizure or, to put it bluntly, theft of sovereign funds and private investments located abroad.
Russia therefore calls on all G20 countries and partnering organisations to implement the provisions of the current G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan, stating that international cooperation and asset recovery are to be accomplished in line with the applicable legal obligations and without undue political influence.
G20 has always been proud of its thought leadership. In order to preserve it, G20 should take decisive steps to make sure its anti-corruption commitments do not remain on paper fifteen years after its sectoral track was launched. Russia stands ready to contribute to making the G20 action more impactful.
I thank you for your attention.
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