Algeria Advocates for International Law at G20 Ministerial Meeting
On Thursday in Johannesburg, Ahmed Attaf, Algeria’s State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, emphasized Algeria’s firm belief that international law, multilateralism, and the United Nations represent humanity’s most significant accomplishments over the past eight decades.
In his address at the G20 ministerial meeting, chaired by South Africa during its second session focused on assessing the global geopolitical landscape, Attaf remarked, “Algeria firmly believes that international law, multilateralism and the United Nations remain the most precious achievements that mankind has ever made during the last eight decades. They represent the symbols of civilization prevailing over anarchy and lawlessness.”
“Letting the attempts of breaking down this most sacred heritage of mankind is, in our view, a bet on the worst, not on the common good,” the minister added.
He further stated, “Times of great turmoil require great leadership. We are fully confident that South Africa meets this requirement and that it will help this gathering navigate successfully through the mounting challenges our world is currently facing.”
As the global community prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, Attaf pointed out, “we all witness the emergence of alarming developments that breed instability and threaten the very foundations of the international system.”
He stressed, “We are extremely worried about the growing pattern of disregarding, undermining and even violating international law, especially when it comes to relations between the powerful and the powerless among nations.”
The Foreign Minister also conveyed Algeria’s concerns regarding “the increasing tendency to impose might at the expense of right and to perpetuate situations of blatant injustices in Palestine, in Western Sahara and in many other parts of the world, particularly in Africa.”
“We are finally worried about the rising inclination towards weakening multilateralism and sidelining the vital role of universal organizations, notably the United Nations.”
In this vein, he urged the G20 to be “the driving force in reinvigorating international law, in revitalizing multilateralism, and last but not least, in empowering the United Nations and ensuring that it ably fulfils its vital, crucial and most indispensable role.”
