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G20 SOCIAL SUMMIT: NEW HORIZONS FOR RUSSIA-GLOBAL SOUTH COOPERATION

«As a new world order takes shape, the voice of civil society is more crucial than ever. We uphold the principles essential for building a future that is just and equitable for all nations and peoples. This is not merely lofty rhetoric—it is tangible, substantive work». Dmitry Stasyulis, IOEC President, Russia’s C20 Sherpa.
On 18 November 2025, Johannesburg hosted the G20 Social Summit, which served as a vivid example of a defining trend of our time—the steadfast pursuit of a multipolar world. The delegation of the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC), representing Russia on the C20 civil track, not only played an active role in shaping the global socio-economic agenda but also laid the practical groundwork for deepening strategic partnerships with the Global South, particularly South Africa.
MULTIPOLAR DIPLOMACY: ADVOCATING FOR JUST WORLD ORDER

On 22–23 November 2025, Johan nesburg, South Africa, hosted the twentieth meeting of the G20, where participants adopted a joint declaration addressing key global challeng es. Among the central proposals were expanding membership for Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region in the UN Security Council, tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, diversifying sources and securing supply chains of critical minerals, increasing aid for low-income coun tries, strengthening international de velopment banks, promoting global conflict resolution.

The G20 Summit was preceded by the C20 Summit and the G20 Social Summit, where Russia was represent ed by the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC).

The extensive work of the C20 culminated in a final political declaration by civil society representatives, which followed a year of consulta tions, talks, and discussions with C20 Sherpas from member states, build ing on the momentum from the Rio de Janeiro summit.
A special open session of the World Forum “New Era—New Ways,” organised by the IOEC in Moscow on 21 August 2025, served as a key plat form for responsible civil dialogue. C20 members—from Russia and South Africa, the latter chairing the G20—engaged in a teleconference to discuss pressing items on the international agenda and draft proposals for the final memorandum. Among these, the group endorsed recommendations put forward by Russia’s Sherpa, Dmitry Stasyulis. The session also re affirmed the importance of achieving substantive outcomes by elaborating recommendations for the forum’s leadership summit.
Particular attention was placed on addressing Africa’s needs, as the continent was poised to host the G20 summit for the first time.

Further discussions took place through interactions between the facilitators and co-facilitators of the C20 working groups, including the “Trade, Financial Architecture, and Sustain able Development” group, co-chaired by IOEC President Dmitry Stasyulis.

The final round of C20 negotia tions focused on ensuring that Russia’s position on key issues was effectively communicated to partners and that the final declaration excluded any provisions that could impede the harmonious development of a multi polar and just world.

On 6 November 2025, following a series of regular C20 meetings, the C20 Political Declaration was adopted—the collective voice of civil society from G20 member states.
“Despite the evident political pres sure from a number of states, we have achieved significant results. Russia’s stance on key issues is clearly reflected in the C20 final communiqué. Each point is a step towards a normal and vi sionary world order—one free from dis torted concepts, double standards, and where mutual respect for sovereignty prevails,” said Dmitry Stasyulis, Russia’s C20 Sherpa.
“WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY UPHELD RUSSIA’S POSITION IN THE C20’S FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ”

The declaration incorporated the following key provisions, advanced by the Russian delegation:
  • Advocating for and ensuring the international participation in the Greater Eurasian Partnership;
  • Abandoning unilateral economic sanctions not endorsed by the UN Security Council;
  • Supporting the reform of global financial and trade institutions, including the WTO, IMF, and World Bank;
  • Establishing and strengthening the “North–South” trade platform;
  • Promoting historical memory as a foundation for peace and inter national solidarity, while eradicating neocolonial agendas and fascism in all its forms;
  • Ensuring that trade, financial and climate agreements sup port and reinforce national sov ereignty and the cultural identity of peoples.

Many experts regard this as a tan gible success for Russian public di plomacy, demonstrating its ability to effectively uphold national interests even on platforms where Western nar ratives have traditionally held sway.
RUSSIA–SOUTH AFRICA: FROM TRADITIONAL TRADE TO STRATEGIC PROJECTS
During the G20 Social Summit in Johan nesburg, the IOEC delegation held a series of productive meetings with South African officials and business leaders.

Key engagements included dis cussions with Phumzile Mazibuko, Chief Director for Central, Eastern and Northern Europe at South Africa’s De partment of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Sima Sarda, Director of Export Promotion at South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Mtho Xulu, President of the South African Cham ber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Elias Monage, President of the Black Business Council.

Following the negotiations, the IOEC Business Centre together with Russian businesses is developing the most promising avenues for Russian–South African cooperation. These in clude seafood, Russian products and services in railway transport and port operations, among others.

On 19 November 2025, Dmitry Stasyulis delivered a keynote address at the G20 Social Summit, outlining several pivotal points. These in clude advancing the Greater Eurasian Partnership as a model for mutually beneficial cooperation in a multipolar world, abandoning the policy of illegal unilateral sanctions, removing artificial barriers in global trade, including pseudo-environmental restrictions, and preserving historical memory while preventing its distortion, particularly regarding World War II and the role of the Soviet liberators. The Russian position garnered broad support from Summit participants.
JOHANNESBURG SPIRIT: DIALOGUE DESPITE RIFT
The Social Summit served as further evidence of emerging centres of in fluence and the rise of alternative dialogue formats. The convivial atmo sphere of the meetings demonstrated that the Global South values open ness and mutual respect.

The IOEC’s successful engagement in South Africa clearly shows that Russia is not only preserving but also expanding its diplomatic and economic potential. By actively participating in the shaping of a multipolar world, Russia’s initiatives—such as the Greater Eurasian Partnership—are gaining increasing traction among nations aspiring to genuine sovereignty and mutually beneficial cooperation. Effectively advocating for national interests and promoting a constructive agenda through civil society is paving the way for a more just and balanced international system.
2025-12-18 10:45 №6 2025 PUBLICATIONS IOEC: EVENTS AND FACTS