The G20 Development Ministerial Meeting under South Africa’s Presidency took place in Skukuza, Kruger National Park from 24-25 July 2025. It was preceded by the Fourth Meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) held from 20-23 July 2025.
The meeting convened Ministers responsible for development as well as heads of international organisations for comprehensive deliberations on key global development issues.
The deliberations were marked by constructive engagement and meaningful outcomes. The following documents were adopted by consensus:
- The G20 Skukuza Development Ministerial Declaration.
- Ministerial Call to Action: Towards Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Development through Universal Social Protection Systems with special priority on Social Protection Floors.
- Ministerial Call to Action: Towards Voluntary and Non-Binding High-Level Principles for Combating Illicit Financial Flows.
Furthermore, in consultation with some members, guest countries and international organisations, a Chair’s Statement on Emerging Principles on Fostering International Cooperation for the Protection and Delivery of Global Public Goods was developed, reflecting the discussions held in the group and calling for the establishment of the Ubuntu Commission, a panel of experts, to take this work forward.
Argentina reserved its position on certain elements of the Ministerial Declaration and its Outcome Documents.
The South African G20 Presidency expresses its deep gratitude to the members, guest countries and international organisations participating in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting for their tireless engagement and commitment in developing these outcome documents to advance solidarity, equality and sustainability for current and future generations.
It is noted that two G20 members did not attend the Ministerial Meeting.
Skukuza, 25 July 2025
STATEMENT OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC
The Argentine Republic reserves its position on the Ministerial Declaration adopted by the G20 Development Working Group.
With regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Argentine Republic reiterates that it is composed of non-legally binding aspirations that each State, in the exercise of its sovereignty, has the right to interpret and pursue freely. Accordingly, Argentina reserves its position on this document as a whole, including all deliverables and references that invoke the 2030 Agenda or are derived from its framework, particularly where such references may contradict or constrain Argentina’s national policy priorities or the constitutional principles that underpin its republican model, centered on the protection of life, liberty, and private property.
While acknowledging the importance of addressing Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) as a global challenge, Argentina considers that the treatment of IFFs—particularly in their technical dimensions—exceeds the mandate and thematic scope of the Development Working Group. In Argentina’s view, other G20 workstreams, such as the Finance Track and the Anticorruption Working Group (ACWG), are better suited to consider these matters, given their specialized expertise, institutional mandates, and ongoing work on related issues. For this reason, Argentina objects to the inclusion of technical discussions and policy recommendations on IFFs within the Development Working Group. Moreover, Argentina does not align with the content of the negotiated document, particularly references to ultra-high net worth individuals, which it views as conceptually vague and ideologically motivated. Argentina firmly rejects any pretenses—implicit or explicit—that seek to undermine the principles of private property, individual liberty, and economic freedom under the guise of development policy.
Argentina acknowledges the importance of coordinated global efforts to address development challenges; however, it emphasizes that there is currently no multilaterally agreed definition of the concept of Global Public Goods (GPGs). Advancing a definition or operational framework for GPGs without broad international consensus could pose risks to national sovereignty. Framing essential public policies—such as those related to social protection or environmental management—within the ambiguous and evolving scope of GPGs may lead to external conditionalities or undermine countries’ autonomy to design and implement context-specific strategies.
In this regard, the Argentine Republic reaffirms that it has participated in the deliberations of this Working Group in good faith and with a constructive spirit, open to dialogue and mindful of the value of consensus within the G20. The decision to issue this separate statement reflects our commitment to transparency and cooperation. However, it must not be interpreted as a dilution of Argentina’s positions on the matters outlined above, which remain firm and ought to be duly acknowledged.