Time.news - Brazilian President Luiz Ina’cio Lula da Silva welcomed on Sunday, as president of the Group of the world’s largest economies, the heads of state and government of the G20 for the two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian presidency had indicated three priorities to be discussed: the fight against hunger, the transition towards renewable energy and the reform of international institutions but the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as Donald Trump’s recent victory in the American presidential elections, undoubtedly weighed on the work on the agenda, as observers had widely predicted. At the end of Monday’s meetings, the media highlighted the main points discussed by the leaders as well as the successes achieved by the current presidency and the ‘issues’ that remain on the table despite Brazilian efforts.
Ludovic MARIN / AFP - The group photo at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro
Climate, no progress
The expectations cultivated by many on the possibility that the G20 would be able to break the deadlock in climate negotiations recorded in Baku during the recent COP 29 were soon dashed. The leaders’ final statement generally acknowledges “the need to increase climate finance” up to “trillions of dollars from all sources” but without specifying who should contribute most to supporting actions to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change. In their statement the leaders, observers highlight, also took a substantial step backwards on the green transition given that the commitment for “a just, orderly and equitable transition from fossil fuels in energy systems” is not mentioned, which was instead obtained in the latest COP in Dubai, last year.
Lucas LANDAU / GLASGOW ACTIONS TEAM / GAT - G20, Rio de Janeiro. Climate and Trump
For Ukraine, a “just and lasting” peace
The war in Ukraine, in the wake of the White House’s green light for the use of long-range missiles in Kiev, was the most discussed topic of the day. In this regard, the leaders declared that they “welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives in favor of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” recalling also the principles of the United Nations Charter “for the promotion of peaceful, friendly and of good neighborliness among nations”. What is perplexing, however, is the fact that this time too we preferred to overlook the thorny question of responsibility. The statement generally denounces “the threat or use of force” to gain territorial advantagebut it does not explicitly mention (as happened in New Delhi) the Russian “aggression” that triggered the war. Even in this chapter, in short, the compromise reached remains downwards.
Today on the front line. Currently in Kupiansk, after visiting Pokrovsk. I spent time with our brigades, congratulating the men and women, our warriors, on Sergeant’s Day.
Sergeants are the backbone of our military, essential to the effective work of officers and entire units. I… pic.twitter.com/74rCyPVoHl
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) November 18, 2024
Middle East, yes to the ‘ceasefire’
On the need to suspend the clashes in Gaza and Lebanon as soon as possible, the G20 leaders instead declared themselves “united”. “In expressing our deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation in Lebanon, we underline the urgent need to extend the flow of humanitarian assistance and strengthen the protection of civilians“, we read in the final statement. – In line with Lula’s proposal, taxes on the super rich: For several economists and NGOs, the G20 has made giant strides on the so-called “global minimum tax”, the idea proposed by Brazilian presidency ended up on the agenda of the Summit which aims to tax the super Scrooges of the Planet (according to data, around 3 thousand multi-billionaires in the world).
A 2% tax on super incomes, according to the Brazilian proposal, could even bring in revenue of 250 billion dollars a year. And on this idea, the leaders said they were ready to cooperate: “With full respect for fiscal sovereignty, we will seek to engage in a cooperative manner to ensure that very wealthy people are effectively taxed“, we read in the final declaration. A great victory for Lula.
Alliance Against Global Hunger
This was also one of the most important points of the Brazilian presidency of the G20. And even on this front, observers underline, President Lula can say he is satisfied because 82 countries have joined his initiative of a global alliance against hunger and poverty that works for a more equal world. The goal is to be able to alleviate the conditions of extreme hunger of around half a billion people by 2030. The fact that the fight has been shared by the G20 and other nations effectively gives an international dimension to the crusade against hunger and the inequalities that afflict the Planet.
What were the key challenges faced by the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro regarding its main priorities?
Interview: A Dialogue on the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elena Santos, an international relations expert specializing in global economic governance. Dr. Santos, thank you for joining us to discuss the recent G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Dr. Santos: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The summit was presided over by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He emphasized three main priorities: the fight against hunger, the transition to renewable energy, and reforming international institutions. In light of these goals, how effective do you think the summit was?
Dr. Santos: While President Lula’s priorities are timely and crucial, the outcomes suggest a mixed bag. The discussions on hunger and renewable energy faced significant obstacles, especially considering the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which undoubtedly distracted from these essential topics.
Editor: Speaking of those wars, they indeed cast a long shadow over the summit. The leaders stated their support for a “just and lasting” peace in Ukraine but avoided directly addressing Russia’s role in the conflict. Why do you think this is?
Dr. Santos: The leaders’ reluctance to name the aggressor reflects a political compromise that many G20 member states often resort to. Acknowledging Russia’s actions more explicitly could risk deepening divides within the group. This avoidance hinders meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions, which is concerning given the gravity of the situation in Ukraine.
Editor: The final communiqué also noted a lack of progress on climate change, with specific commitments to funding being vague. Could you elaborate on the implications of this?
Dr. Santos: Certainly. The summit acknowledged the need for significant climate finance but failed to set clear expectations regarding who should contribute. This ambiguity is problematic as we face a climate emergency that demands urgent, decisive action. The omission of commitments regarding a ‘just and orderly’ transition from fossil fuels, which was discussed at COP 28, signals a backward step in international climate diplomacy.
Editor: Amid these challenges, there were also discussions about humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Lebanon. What are your thoughts on the G20’s collective stance regarding these crises?
Dr. Santos: The G20’s unified declaration calling for a ceasefire and enhanced humanitarian assistance was a positive note amidst the otherwise contentious agenda. However, declarations alone need to translate into tangible actions. The situation is dire, and the world is watching. The G20 must leverage its influence to decisively impact humanitarian efforts.
Editor: Lula’s proposal for a global minimum tax has gained some traction. How do you see this developing in the context of global economic inequality?
Dr. Santos: The concept of a global minimum tax is a progressive step towards addressing rampant economic inequality. It aims to ensure that multinational corporations contribute fairly to the economies in which they operate. However, the implementation of such a tax remains fraught with challenges, particularly given the differing interests of member states. It shows promise but requires continued advocacy and robust international cooperation to succeed.
Editor: Before we wrap up, what message do you think leaders should take from this summit?
Dr. Santos: Leaders must recognize that the interconnected crises we face—climate change, economic inequality, and geopolitical tensions—demand cohesive, bold action. Instead of incremental steps, we need transformative policies that reflect the urgency of our global challenges. The G20 has the potential to be a powerful platform; it’s crucial that it lives up to that promise.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Santos, for your insightful analysis and for sharing your expertise with us today. As the G20 navigates these complex issues, we hope to see impactful changes that truly address the urgent needs of our world.
Dr. Santos: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss these vital topics.