G20 Foreign Ministers to meet in Italy
A summit of G20 foreign affairs and development ministers begins today in Matera, Italy.
The meeting is one of several precursors to the G20 Leaders Summit, due to be hosted by Italy in October. The precursor summit’s guest list includes U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Italian G20 presidency is focusing on three broad, interconnected points of action: people, planet and prosperity. 2021 goals include economic growth and prosperity, while emphasizing that such economic benefits are best shared throughout the international community.
The G20 hopes to lead the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thus it is expected that discussions surrounding international responses and strategies will feature predominantly in the meeting. Issues regarding equitable vaccine access, diagnostics and medical care are primary points of health and economic concern. The Ministers are also expected to discuss strategies for long-term economic, environmental and health recovery from the pandemic in attempt to build resilience toward future global health crises.
Blinken and Yi have no plans to hold talks outside of the summit, suggesting a disinterest in relieving US-China tensions in the short-term, even thought today’s meeting will be their first face-to-face meeting since March.
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