The G20’s effort to coordinate on security issues ended without a joint communiqué in Atlanta on Saturday, the Associated Press reported, with several disputes unresolved.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the Oct. 30-31 meeting. The U.S. State Department said Washington wanted G20 partners to address geopolitical risks to the global economy, including threats to freedom of navigation, energy and food security, and supply chains. The department described the gathering as a way to return the G20 to its core economic mission and prepare for the leaders’ summit in Miami.
At the opening plenary, Rubio called for members to “strengthen our economic resilience” and safeguard markets, according to the State Department transcript. The department said the session covered freedom of navigation and food security.
Anadolu reported that the talks took place amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran. Diplomats who spoke anonymously to AP cited U.S. tariffs and China’s actions in the South China Sea as additional points of disagreement. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told AP that when countries involved in wars sit at the table, it is “very difficult to agree on a common line.” Participants quoted by AP linked the divisions to higher fuel prices globally and uncertainty for trade.
The customary group photo did not take place amid European objections to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to Anadolu, AP and Reuters.
The next scheduled milestone is the G20 leaders’ summit at Trump National Doral in Miami on Dec. 14-15, according to the U.S. Treasury and a State Department media note.
