French President Emmanuel Macron has raised fresh concerns about the stability and relevance of the G20, saying the global economic bloc is “at risk” due to its inability to jointly address escalating international crises.
His remarks came during the G20 summit in Johannesburg, a gathering noticeably marked by the absence of US President Donald Trump, who has been at odds with South Africa’s government on several fronts.
Speaking before two dozen world leaders, Macron suggested that the G20 might be nearing the end of its effective cycle. He noted that the world is witnessing a tense phase in geopolitics, one where major issues are becoming increasingly difficult to resolve, especially when key members are missing from the discussion table.
“We are living in a moment of geopolitics in which we are struggling to resolve major crises together around this table, including with members who are not present today,” Macron said, pointing to current tensions surrounding the US and its new unilateral plan for ending the war in Ukraine—a plan that accommodates some of Russia’s firm demands.
European leaders present at the summit held separate talks to consider alternative approaches. Macron reiterated that lasting peace in Ukraine must respect the country’s sovereignty and cannot be negotiated without the involvement of Ukrainians themselves. “There can be no peace in Ukraine without Ukrainians, without respect for their sovereignty,” he stressed.
The G20, composed of 19 countries including Russia, along with the European Union and the African Union, is struggling to create unified positions on key issues like humanitarian law and national sovereignty. Macron warned that if global leaders fail to reconnect around critical shared priorities, the G20’s future becomes uncertain.
He urged members to demonstrate genuine commitment through “concrete actions” that would reinvigorate the forum and help address the economic and political challenges affecting their nations.
“We must absolutely demonstrate that we have concrete actions to re-engage this forum and provide responses for our economies collectively around this table,” Macron said, emphasizing that the G20 can only remain relevant if collaboration is restored.
What You Should Know
The G20, a major platform for global economic cooperation, is facing internal strain as world powers struggle to agree on solutions to urgent crises such as the war in Ukraine.
President Macron’s warning reflects growing concerns about fragmentation within the group, especially with the US absent from the latest summit. His call for renewed unity highlights the importance of the G20 in managing global stability, even as geopolitical tensions threaten its effectiveness.
