The Group of Twenty largest economies in the world (G20) is under threat as it struggles to address international crises, said French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday at the summit taking place in South Africa and boycotted by the U.S., according to LETA citing AFP.
Macron was one of the few world leaders to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, where U.S. President Donald Trump did not show up.
"The G20 may be approaching the end of its cycle," said the French leader while addressing those gathered in Johannesburg.
"We live in an era of geopolitical challenges and are trying to jointly address major crises at this table, including with the participation of members who are absent today," he added.
Macron specifically mentioned the new American plan to end the war in Ukraine, which includes a number of demands from Russia.
European leaders held meetings in the corridors of the G20 summit in Johannesburg to discuss possible counterproposals.
"Peace in Ukraine is impossible without the Ukrainians themselves and without respect for their sovereignty," emphasized Macron.
The G20 comprises 19 countries, including Russia, as well as the European Union and the African Union.
According to Macron, the G20 has been struggling to reach a unified position on issues such as human rights and sovereignty.
World leaders should recognize that "the G20 is under threat if we do not collectively return to key priorities," stated the President of France.
"We need to demonstrate concrete actions to restore the engagement of this forum and provide answers to our economies by collectively participating in this dialogue," he added.
The leaders of the G20 countries on Saturday, in a joint declaration, called for achieving a "just, inclusive, and sustainable peace" in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the "occupied Palestinian territories."
"Guided by the goals and principles of the UN Charter, we will strive for a just, inclusive, and sustainable peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the occupied Palestinian territories, and Ukraine," the declaration adopted at the G20 summit in Johannesburg states.
