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Press release

Minister Richmond represents Ireland at G20 Development meeting in South Africa

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, today (Friday 25 July) attended the ministerial meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) in Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The ministerial declaration released at the conclusion of the meeting underscored the importance of upholding multilateralism, with the United Nations and its Charter at the centre. The declaration reaffirmed social security as a human right and highlighted social protection as an essential driver for reducing poverty and inequalities, enhancing economic resilience, and delivering sustainable development.

The declaration also committed to combating illicit financial flows as a means to ensure countries have the necessary resources to support their own development, and that resources are used transparently in line with the priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking about Ireland’s participation at the G20 meeting, Minister Richmond said:

"I welcome the opportunity to meet with my counterparts focussed on international development to discuss global challenges and Ireland’s position on a range of issues. In addition to meeting with my European colleagues, I met with representatives from Canada, Norway, Singapore, the UK and the UAE, as well as the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. This was an important opportunity to share Ireland’s policies, values and interests in terms of development."

"Coming immediately after my visits to Zambia and Zimbabwe, to the G20 development ministerial meeting, I can see that there is still strong support globally to reduce extreme poverty and provide quality maternal health services."

Speaking about the focus on social protection at G20, Minister Richmond said:

“Social protection is central to ending poverty and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. We have seen this in Ireland, where social protection has been a tool for overcoming poverty, promoting equality and unlocking inclusive economic growth.

“The G20 provided an opportunity to discuss illicit financial flows, which builds on the work of the recent financing for development conference in Seville. Ensuring countries can raise their own resources to meet their development challenges is critical.”

ENDS

Press Office

25 July 2025

Notes to Editors:

  • The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum comprising the world’s leading economies to discuss international economic and financial stability. It was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis of 1997/98.
  • The G20 comprises of 19 sovereign countries, the African Union and the European Union. G20 members represent around 85% of the global Gross Domestic Product, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
  • South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 through to November 2025 under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.
  • Ireland became an invited member of the G20 in December 2024 for the term of the South African Presidency, which runs to the end of November 2025.