Mexico as MIKTA coordinator in 2024
By Nayeli Ceceña Alvarez
23 December 2024
Established in 2013, MIKTA is a cross-regional group of countries that brings together Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Türkiye and Australia. MIKTA members share similar interests, strong democracies, open economies, and strategic geographic locations, in three different continents. They also share their membership in the UN, WTO and G20.
MIKTA countries represent 6.1% of global GDP, 6.9% of the world population with 553 million people, and mobilise nearly 10% of global trade.
MIKTA has three specific objectives: 1) to strengthen bilateral relationships and political dialogue amongst members; 2) to make consultations and, when feasible, to promote coordination on global issues of common interest in forums such as the G20 and the UN, to contribute to constructive solutions to global challenges; and 3) to promote joint cooperation projects.
Since its establishment, members agreed that the group would be coordinated by each country on a yearly basis. On 21 February 2024, the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, Alicia Barcena Ibarra, received the coordination of the group from Indonesia on behalf of Mexico during the 25th MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on the side lines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Under the Mexican Presidency in 2024, MIKTA organized its 26th Meeting of Foreign Ministers at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the 4th Development Network Meeting and the 10th Consultation of MIKTA Chairpersons, in Mexico City. MIKTA partners also made 18 joint statements at high-level multilateral meetings and adopted a Special Communiqué in support of the Compact for the Future, in line with their commitment to an effective multilateral system and a sustainable, fair, equitable, inclusive and peaceful global system.
The most recent MIKTA Leaders Meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro on 18 November 2024, on the margins of the G20 Summit. On this occasion, the leaders of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Australia, Anthony Albanese, reaffirmed their commitment to actively participate in major international fora, serving as a bridge-building force and helping to find a consensus. In this context, MIKTA Leaders also reiterated their commitment to the G20 as the main forum for international economic cooperation.
This was the first MIKTA Leaders Meeting attended by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had recently taken office on 1 October 2024, as the first female president of Mexico.
Among the chairmanship’s priorities for 2024, Mexico set its commitment to Place women at the centre of sustainable development and inclusion efforts. As the first Latin American country to adopt a Feminist Foreign Policy, Mexico’s chairmanship has focused, among other topics, in promoting the relevant participation of women in development, climate, and inclusion efforts, as well as in the Peace and Security agenda.
Mexican Embassies, Consulates and Missions around the world have also promoted MIKTA meetings and activities during 2024. In South Africa, MIKTA Diplomatic Missions held several activities throughout the year. From meeting with relevant South African authorities to exploring engagement in projects led by UN agencies, MIKTA representatives have summed efforts in joint activities for mutual benefit.
In this respect, on 12-14 November, MIKTA Diplomatic Missions accredited to South Africa, coordinated by the Embassy of Mexico, held a three-day business workshop for South African women entrepreneurs. Focusing on the economic inclusion and empowerment of women, this also aligns with South Africa’s commitment to promoting both inclusive growth and women’s economic empowerment.
The workshop, which was also supported by the South African Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), focused on Sales including How to sell products, Negotiation, Digital Marketing, Mindset for sales, and Business planning. Over 30 South African businesswomen, mainly from Small and Medium Enterprises, benefited from these sessions.
MIKTA coordination will be handed over by Mexico to the Republic of Korea during the MIKTA Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting which will take place on the margins of the G20 Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa in February 2025.
Nayeli Ceceña Alvarez is the Cooperation, Cultural and Media officer at the Embassy of Mexico in South Africa.