German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the Group of 20 leading economies to press for solutions to the Ukraine and Middle East crises.

“We will not make this world fairer if we do not get the acute crises under control,” Baerbock said.

She said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Both conflicts were expected to play a major role in the meeting, which came just days before the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The effects of these two wars are hitting the poorest people the hardest around the world,” Ms Baerbock added.

She urged the group to look for ways to achieve peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Russia, which is a G20 member, is set to be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The U.S. is represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Collectively, the G20 group of developed and emerging economies represents around 80 per cent of the world’s economic output and 60 per cent of the world’s population.

Brazil currently holds the chairmanship.

The Gaza war and the threat of conflagration in the Middle East would play an important role at a working session entitled, “Dealing with international tensions.”

The meeting would also focus on reform approaches for the international system, a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Office said.

The topics of sustainability and climate issues would also be discussed.

China’s chief diplomat, Wang Yi, will not be travelling to the meeting due to “scheduling reasons,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, in Beijing on Wednesday.

She said the country would be represented by Yi’s deputy Ma Zhaoxu.

(dpa/NAN)