SA's Dangor denies claim that G20 foreign ministers' group photo cancelled due to tensions
This after some countries allegedly opted not to take a group photo alongside Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, at a G20 event at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola held a media briefing at the conclusion of the first G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 21 February 2025, alongside South Africa's G20 Sherpa, Zane Dangor (left), and Sous-Sherpa, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo (right). Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Amid claims that geopolitical tensions made their way into a G20 meeting in Johannesburg this week, South Africa said that diplomatic differences did not cause any disruptions.
This after some countries allegedly opted not to take a group photo alongside Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, at a G20 event at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto.
Russia has been largely painted as the aggressor in its three-year-long conflict with Ukraine with countries like the UK, Germany, and France pledging support for Ukraine.
Many of these countries gathered under the same roof for the two-day foreign ministers meeting this week.
But South Africa’s G20 sherpa, Zane Dangor, has dismissed claims that the family photo was cancelled due to tensions in the room, attributing it to logistical issues.
"It’s not really one of the key issues for foreign ministers and when there’s no time for it, we don’t take it. Brazil, as you know, didn’t have a family photo. We did set up the place for it but when the time ran out, there wasn’t any pressure to take it, so we didn’t have it," said Dangor.
He was speaking on the sidelines on the final day of the meeting on Friday.
Dangor added that "we really ran out of time. Dinner was meant to be at 7.30pm but we only arrived there at 9pm last night."