Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –
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A delegation from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development took part in the third meeting of the G20 Working Group on Trade and Investment, which was held under the chairmanship of South Africa on 29-31 July 2025 in Johannesburg.
The G20 members gathered around the negotiating table to exchange views on the current challenges facing the global trading system and to participate in the development of documents planned for adoption following the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting (10 October 2025, Gqeberha).
As noted by the panellists, current developments in international trade, including the spread of unilateral measures and protectionism, are holding back global economic growth and investment activity. Many G20 participants expressed concern about the growing number of US bilateral deals, calling for such agreements to be consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, including the most-favored nation principle.
"We note with regret that enforcement in global trade is weakening. Many are concerned about the lack of transparency in agreements between the US and its partners in terms of compliance with WTO law. It is obvious that predictability can only be restored to the multilateral trading system by restoring trust within the G20," a representative of the Russian delegation noted during the discussion.
During the meeting, South Africa presented the first drafts of the outcome documents to the G20 members, including the “Principles for Trade and Inclusive Growth and Confronting Global Challenges”, the “Trade and Investment Framework for Fostering Sustainable Industrialisation and Sustainable Development”, and the “Declaration on WTO Reform and the Development Agenda”.
The Russian delegation, together with a number of G20 members, advocated for the inclusion in the final documents of provisions condemning unilateral trade measures that contradict WTO norms, and also called on partners to record a refusal to use measures aimed at promoting sustainable development as trade barriers.
The G20 members, with the exception of the United States and Mexico, which abstained from participating in the event, unanimously recognized the need to reform the WTO to resolve the current situation in international trade. Delegations agreed that the G20 should play a leading role in WTO reform. A speedy resolution of current contradictions is necessary in light of the fact that the upcoming 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (March 2026, Cameroon) will be a defining event for the future of the WTO.
Work on the draft documents will continue in the coming months for their adoption at the upcoming G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting.
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