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G20 foreign ministers began a two-day meeting in Atlanta, United States, on October 30, 2026, to discuss global economic challenges, geopolitical tensions, and international security, as disagreements over Russia’s participation led the United States to cancel the traditional group photograph.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the meeting, which brought together senior diplomats from the world’s major advanced and emerging economies.

Discussions focused on economic growth, energy and food security, freedom of navigation and strengthening global supply chains amid ongoing international conflicts and economic uncertainty.

The absence of the traditional family photograph highlighted divisions among G20 members over Russia’s participation. Several European officials, joined by representatives from other countries, opposed appearing in a photograph alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, prompting the United States to remove the ceremony from the program.

Calls for Cooperation Amid Global Crises

Opening the meeting, Rubio urged G20 members to work together to address interconnected economic and geopolitical challenges, warning that disruptions to energy and food supplies, international trade and freedom of navigation threaten the foundations of the global economic order.

“We are facing a series of interconnected economic and geopolitical crises, many of which pose severe threats to essential foundations of the global economic order,” Rubio said. Describing the current period as a “moment of choosing,” he stressed that the challenges facing the United States also have wider consequences for the international community.

The United States is leading the charge to strengthen global energy security for a more prosperous future. The world needs energy addition—not subtraction or transition—for future prosperity. This means multiple energy sources, multiple supplier economies, and multiple delivery routes.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 30, 2026

Rubio identified the resilience of global supply chains, protection of international markets and access to essential resources as key priorities. He called on foreign ministers to translate shared interests into practical cooperation and coordinated action.

“By translating our shared interests into practical cooperation and real action, we can reinforce global stability and, more importantly, deliver meaningful results for our citizens,” he said.

The opening plenary session focused on freedom of navigation and food security. The meeting’s agenda also covers economic resilience, energy supplies and international security.

US, Japan and South Korea Establish Trilateral Arctic Partnership

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new trilateral initiative with Japan and South Korea aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and economic engagement in the Pacific Arctic.

Rubio signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to establish the Trilateral Arctic Pacific Partnership during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta.

The initiative reflects growing interest among the United States, Japan and South Korea in the strategic importance of the Pacific Arctic, particularly as changing sea conditions affect maritime access, shipping routes and economic opportunities. The region also has implications for regional security, resource development and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

Through the new partnership, the three countries aim to explore areas of common interest and strengthen coordination in the Pacific Arctic. While the memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation, specific projects, implementation arrangements and the scope of future activities have yet to be detailed.

US and Saudi Arabia Sign Expo 2030 Participation Agreement

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan in Atlanta on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to discuss regional developments and bilateral cooperation.

According to Rubio, the discussions covered ways the two countries could continue working together on regional challenges, including the situations in Iran, Sudan, and Yemen.

During the meeting, Rubio and Faisal bin Farhan also signed a participation contract formalizing the United States’ involvement in Expo 2030, which will be hosted by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The agreement marks a further step in U.S.-Saudi economic and diplomatic cooperation, with Washington seeking to strengthen its presence at the international exhibition.

Rubio described Expo 2030 as an important platform for promoting American innovation, expanding business opportunities for U.S. companies and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The exhibition is expected to provide a platform for American businesses and organizations to showcase technologies, products and services while developing commercial and investment opportunities in the Saudi market.

It was great to meet with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan in Atlanta. We discussed ways our countries can continue working together on regional challenges, including the situations in Iran, Sudan, and Yemen. We also signed the participation contract formalizing U.S. participation in World Expo 2030 in Riyadh. Expo 2030 is an important platform to advance American innovation, expand U.S. businesses opportunities, and strengthen our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 30, 2026

Dispute Over Russia Leads to Cancellation of Group Photo

The meeting began without the traditional group photograph, which was removed from the official program after several participating countries objected to appearing alongside Lavrov.

A U.S. official said Washington decided to cancel the photograph to prevent it from becoming a distraction from the discussions. Two other U.S. officials confirmed that Rubio had taken the decision after European representatives indicated they would not participate in a joint picture with the Russian foreign minister.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made clear that European representatives would not appear alongside Lavrov. “I assume there will be no family photograph at all,” Wadephul told reporters ahead of the opening session. “There is no normality with Russia,” he added.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also supported the cancellation, describing it as the right decision and saying he was not alone in opposing a photograph with Lavrov.

British representatives were also among those who declined to participate. A British diplomatic source said the United Kingdom maintained a longstanding policy of avoiding direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Another diplomat said roughly one-third of the participants, including Australia and Canada, had expressed opposition to being photographed alongside Lavrov. European officials had initially considered the possibility of holding two separate photographs, one including the Russian delegation and another without it, but the U.S. ultimately removed the ceremony altogether.

The disagreement reflects wider divisions within the G20 over the war in Ukraine and the approach to relations with Moscow. Several participating countries have raised concerns about Russia’s invitation amid continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

Ukraine War and US-European Policy Differences

The dispute over the photograph comes amid growing differences between Washington and several European capitals over the Trump administration’s recent approach to Russia and Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken steps to ease some restrictions on Moscow, including temporarily lifting certain sanctions on Russian fuel shipments and agreeing to an arrangement under which Russia would supply diesel to the United States and international markets. Washington has also temporarily restricted some logistical and intelligence support for Kyiv, adding to tensions with the Ukrainian government.

Trump has defended the suspension of certain sanctions as a way to keep Moscow engaged in negotiations aimed at ending the war. His administration has also sought to address domestic energy costs, which have remained a concern amid the wider consequences of the conflict involving Iran.

Russia’s war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East pose major threats to energy and food supplies, trade and freedom of navigation. Maritime routes are global lifelines. At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, I called for a Black Sea freedom of navigation arrangement and reaffirmed the EU’s opposition to tolls and fees on international shipping routes. Energy security and supply chain resilience are vital for global economic stability.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) October 30, 2026

European governments supporting Ukraine have criticized Washington’s recent decisions, arguing that easing pressure on Moscow risks weakening efforts to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also criticized the proposed diesel arrangement, describing it as a benefit to Russia while the war continues.

Ukraine is not a member of the G20 and was not invited to the Atlanta meeting, despite having participated in some G20-related discussions in previous years.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and continues to control approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Moscow has also intensified missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in recent weeks.

Gaza, Iran and Maritime Security Issues

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is among the participants in the Atlanta meeting, with regional and international security issues featuring prominently in his diplomatic agenda.

Fidan’s agenda includes the situation in the Gaza Strip, tensions between the United States and Iran, and the importance of protecting strategic maritime routes. Turkiye’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional security, stability, and dialogue also feature among the issues surrounding his participation.

Great meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan today in Atlanta. We discussed ways to further deepen our bilateral cooperation to advance peace and stability worldwide. https://t.co/nTRKLz4f7z

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 30, 2026

The issues are closely connected to the wider G20 agenda, particularly freedom of navigation, energy security and the stability of international trade routes.

Lavrov, who is leading the Russian delegation, emphasizes the importance of greater economic cooperation and equal dialogue among G20 members. Moscow has also criticized Washington’s decision to exclude South Africa from the G20 process, calling for the restoration of its participation rights.

Dispute Over South Africa’s Participation

The Atlanta meeting is also taking place amid disagreements over South Africa’s role in the G20. Trump previously announced that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the 2026 G20 leaders’ summit.

The decision followed Washington’s boycott of the previous summit in Johannesburg and Trump’s claims concerning the treatment of white farmers in South Africa. Moscow has opposed Washington’s position, arguing that South Africa’s participation rights should be respected within the G20 framework.

The G20 brings together 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union to discuss global economic policies and major international challenges. Established in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis, the forum has become a central platform for cooperation between advanced and emerging economies.

The Atlanta meeting precedes the G20 leaders’ summit, scheduled to take place at Trump’s golf club in Miami in December.

🇺🇸🌏 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, describing a “critical moment” and “moment of choosing” for the United States and the wider world. Rubio pointed to interconnected economic and geopolitical crises that pose “severe threats” to the foundations of the global economic order. He cited disruptions to energy and food supplies and markets, global supply chains, trade, and freedom of navigation itself. The G20, he said, must work together to confront these threats, strengthen economic resilience, and safeguard markets. The two-day Atlanta gathering, chaired by Rubio, is intended to set the stage for a G20 leaders’ summit that President Trump will host in Miami in December. The meeting opened amid visible divisions: the United States canceled a traditional group photo after several European diplomats objected to appearing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Participants include top diplomats from most G20 members; China is represented at the deputy level. Rubio later emphasized that maritime and food security drive economic security, framing U.S. efforts under an America First approach to protect shipping routes and reduce the economic effects of geopolitical crises. The remarks reflect ongoing strains on energy markets, trade routes, and supply chains without naming specific conflicts in the opening statement.

— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) October 30, 2026