December 2025
President Lee Jae Myung attended the G20 Summit and conducted official visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Turkiye from Nov. 17 to 24. During this trip, the president engaged in both multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, holding discussions with leaders from various countries to address major international issues and explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation.
Writer. Kim Da Un
Photos courtesy of. Office of the President
The G20 Summit is a major forum launched in 1999 with the goal of promoting global financial stability and international economic cooperation. This year’s event, held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The first session focused on “Inclusive and Sustainable Growth that Leaves No One Behind.” President Lee highlighted the complex economic crises facing the world and the widening inequality they have caused. He proposed key global challenges for discussion, including easing the debt vulnerability of developing countries, restoring the functionality of the multilateral trading system and enhancing the effectiveness of development cooperation.
The second session addressed “A Resilient World—the G20’s Contribution” with discussions centered on disaster risk reduction, climate change response, fair energy transition and food systems. President Lee emphasized that these areas are interconnected global challenges, urging the international community to strengthen climate response capabilities and rebuild disaster management systems. He introduced Korea’s ongoing initiatives.
The third session, “A Fair and Just Future for All,” explored the future direction of the global economy, focusing on stable supply chains for critical minerals, quality job creation and the use of artificial intelligence. President Lee noted the rapid social changes driven by technological advancement, stressing the importance of establishing a foundation for the fair use of AI and critical resources.
The summit adopted the “Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration,” a document emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation in response to intensifying geopolitical and geo-economic competition, as well as enhanced disaster response. Additionally, it was announced that Korea will host the G20 Summit in 2028.
President Lee Jae Myung (left) holds expanded talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Nov. 18, during a state visit to the UAE.
Before and after the official G20 schedule, President Lee held meetings with leaders from various countries.
During his official visit to the UAE from Nov. 17 to 19, President Lee met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders reviewed ways to expand cooperation across strategic sectors, including economy and investment, defense and arms industry, nuclear energy, AI, healthcare and culture. They agreed to explore a model linking joint investment, development and export in the AI sector, and discussed potential collaboration in the global nuclear energy market, building on Korea’s involvement in the Barakah nuclear power plant.
President Lee Jae Myung (left) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hold a joint news conference at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo on Nov. 20.
In Egypt from Nov. 19-20, President Lee met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss deepening cooperation in economy, education, culture and defense. Both leaders shared concerns about international peace and regional stability, pledging to contribute as “peace promoters.” They also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for international solidarity in responding to the refugee situation.
Following the G20, President Lee visited Turkiye on Nov. 24 and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders discussed expanding cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, bio, infrastructure, renewable energy, AI and cultural and educational exchanges. Specific topics included road and infrastructure projects, promoting food, culture, arts and education exchanges, honoring war veterans and providing humanitarian support for Syrian refugees. They also agreed to restart the Korea-Turkiye Economic Joint Committee.
During the G20, President Lee also held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, exploring cooperation in economy, industry and technology. At the MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkiye, Australia) leaders’ meeting, the participants reaffirmed shared values such as democracy, respect for international law and multilateralism, adopting a joint press statement to strengthen cooperation.
President Lee outlined Korea’s policy directions on major international issues, including the AI Basic Society Initiative and inclusive growth, and participated in international discussions from the UN (United Nations) General Assembly, the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders’ Meeting to the G20 Summit. He expressed Korea’s commitment to actively contributing to global development, especially in addressing economic uncertainty and slowing growth.
President Lee Jae Myung (left) shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at their bilateral summit held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Nov. 24.
