Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a plenary meeting of the G20 Ministerial Council on multilateralism, global economy and development
New Delhi, March 2, 2023
We stand in solidarity with New Delhi’s call to build a common future for humanity, which is especially important in the context of growing geopolitical confrontation. We share the practical objectives of strengthening multilateralism and
overcoming global economic crises set during India’s Presidency.
I would like to apologise to the Presidency and our colleagues from the Global South for
the improper behaviour of a number of Western delegations, which turned the discussion on the G20 agenda into a travesty in an attempt to shift their responsibility for failures in economic policy to others, primarily Russia.
The formation of a polycentric world calls for recognising
civilisational diversity and mutual respect for interests. It is imperative to stop being guided by the flawed logic of domination, diktat and sanctions. We welcome the rise of new centres of influence in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
We will strive to democratise economic management. We support the African Union’s G20 membership. We advocate for
increasing the role of the developing economies at the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO and eliminating the Western monopoly in environmental and human rights organisations.
It’s time to stop playing the food card. Today, the bulk of grain supplies from Ukraine are being shipped at giveaway fodder prices to the EU, rather than to the poorest
countries that need them. Without any scruples, the West is burying the UN Secretary-General’s well-known humanitarian initiative.
We will continue to make
a major contribution to ensuring economic stability. We are open to an equitable dialogue at the G20. We hope that the Delhi summit in September will at least mitigate the risks created by the self-serving Western policies.
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