Flexible multilateralism a way forward for world, PM Wong says at G-20

He says smaller groups can start laying foundations for a refreshed system

- Tham Yuen-C Senior Political Correspondent

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (middle row, second from right) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (front row, fourth from right), along with other world leaders, gathering for a family photo during the G-20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Nov 22. PHOTO: EPA

(EPA)

Flexible multilateralism is one way forward as the world works out how to reform the global institutions and rules to address today's challenges, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the Group of 20 (G-20) summit on Nov 22.

This means that instead of being paralysed by old ways of doing things, smaller groups can start laying the foundations for a refreshed system through plurilateral agreements, with others coming on board later.

Countries should also build new partnerships, linking up regions, blocs and like-minded economies in mutually beneficial ways, he added.

PM Wong made these points on the opening day of the historic summit in Johannesburg, during a working session attended by leaders of the world's biggest economies.

The meeting this year is the first ever to be held in an African country. South Africa, as G-20 president, has focused the attention on issues affecting the world's poorest nations, such as widening economic inequality and debt sustainability for developing countries.

In his opening address to the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said tackling the issues faced by the developing world was vital in an interconnected world for stability and security, and to reduce the risk of conflict.