Johannesburg - WHO participated in the First G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on 20-21 February 2025 in Gauteng, South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to positioning health as a central pillar of sustainable development and economic resilience. 
WHO participated in the First G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM), held on 20-21 February 2025 in Gauteng, South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to positioning health as a central pillar of sustainable development and economic resilience. The meeting was historic, marking the first-ever G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the African continent. 

The meeting reaffirmed support for the theme of South Africa’s G20 Presidency: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability and its priorities and High-Level Deliverables, that are disaster resilience; debt sustainability; finance for a just energy transition; and critical minerals for inclusive growth and development

Leading WHO’s delegation, Ms. Stéphanie Seydoux, WHO Director-General’s Envoy for Multilateral Affairs, supported by the WHO team from the Country Office in South Africa, 

WHO contributed to discussions on global cooperation, emphasizing the vital role of health diplomacy in fostering stability and resilience worldwide..

There was broad recognition of the need to reform global governance structures, including international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, to ensure more inclusive and resilient economies. Participants further emphasized the importance of amplifying African voices in global decision-making processes and advancing sustainable solutions to pressing global challenges.

Foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and global stability, stressing the urgent need for international cooperation in addressing ongoing conflicts and their impact on health and education systems. There was strong consensus on investing in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and strengthening health systems to enhance resilience and preparedness for future health crises.

WHO acknowledges the Government of South Africa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for their leadership in fostering global health cooperation. 

As South Africa leads the G20 health agenda, WHO remains a committed partner, working with governments, development agencies, and civil society to expand access to quality healthcare, strengthen health systems, and drive progress toward Universal Health Coverage.