“I would like to have contact with you”, this journalist asked via WhatsApp to Argentina’s main representative in the G20, Federico Pinedo. His literal response was: “I can’t talk until the negotiations are over”. His response was not disingenuous; On the other hand, it revealed the critical point of debate among members of this group (19 countries plus two regional blocs) on the spirit and letter of the final declaration. The main issues are far from simple; especially those related to the global taxation of large fortunes and essential reforms in the United Nations, particularly in the Security Council.
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Brazil, which this year had to lead and host the presidential leadership in Rio de Janeiro, has shown sincere interest in the latter issue. and today the UN Secretary General António Guterresdefended the position of the Brazilians in a press conference offered to all the main world media; There is talk of 3 thousand journalists accredited to accompany the deliberations, a very high number for this type of meeting. The Portuguese diplomat warned that he will only speak in English since his native language is not one of the official languages of the organization (Spanish is).
Authoritarians don’t like this
The practice of professional and critical journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy. This is why it bothers those who believe they are the holders of the truth.
The first thing he underlined is that the current multilateral system is out of step with current times, with all that this means: “The Security Council corresponds to 1945. To give an idea: three European countries are permanent members (out of a total of 5). And there are no Africans”, nor Latin American. The only “grace” granted to a South American country at the time was given to Brazil and consisted in the fact that its rulers had the prerogative of speaking first, before everyone else, at the annual assembly of the United Nations.
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Guterres did not hesitate to define that structure as “old”. and warned that “there is great inefficiency due to geopolitical divisions”. The structure still in force guaranteed, during the Cold War, a certain balance of power between the great powers: the United States, England, France, China and Russia. Any measure adopted at the UN could be vetoed by any of these SC countries; so everything ended at point zero.
But today’s world is no longer divided, as it was then, between the West and the countries of the socialist bloc. Now they are all capitalists, without exception; although significant differences remain between them. While some oppose the expansion of the Security Council, the number of nations seeking a way forward through multilateralism is increasing. judging that this “approach” is more democratic. This is what the proposals to join the CS by nations such as India, Brazil, Japan and South Africa indicate, which if this were to happen would expand the ability to make and comply with agreements.
Diplomats from the world’s 19 largest economies, with one exception, must now hand over the text of the final declaration for discussion at tomorrow’s G20 presidential meeting. As usually happens in these meetings, we analyze word by word and, if there are major disagreements, an “intermediate” expression is chosen.
Secretary General Guterres He did not shy away from responding to the difficulties presented by Javier Milei’s government; especially in the 2030 Agenda, which includes the fight against inequalities and the empowerment of the female world. He launched an appeal, to continue, “to all countries so that common sense prevails“, so that the possibility of”transform this G20 meeting into a summit relevant to the international order“
One of the most pressing issues, mentioned by the United Nations Secretary General, is climate change in the world: “This is the hottest year in history” he warned; remembering the Amazon disaster due to drought in 2024 and, at the same time, the flood catastrophe of the Río Grade del Sur.
What are the main reforms being discussed for the UN Security Council during the G20 summit?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and UN Expert Dr. Elena Rivera
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rivera. We just witnessed some intense discussions at the G20, especially around the final declaration. Could you shed some light on the main issues at play?
Dr. Elena Rivera (ER): Certainly. One of the most pressing topics right now is the global taxation of large fortunes. Countries are grappling with how to manage wealth on a global scale, especially as income inequality grows. Additionally, significant reforms in the United Nations, particularly pertaining to the Security Council, are being hotly debated.
TNE: It seems that the response from Federico Pinedo, Argentina’s representative, underscores the complexity of these negotiations. How critical are these discussions for global governance?
ER: Pinedo’s hesitation to speak can be interpreted as a sign of the high stakes involved. The deliberations at the G20 are essential for establishing a more equitable multilateral framework. For instance, the current structure of the Security Council, which dates back to 1945, is widely seen as outdated and unrepresentative of today’s geopolitical landscape.
TNE: You mentioned the calls for reform in the Security Council. What are some of the key arguments for expanding its membership?
ER: The primary argument is representation. Currently, permanent members like the US, UK, and France do not reflect the world’s demographics and power dynamics. Countries such as India, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa have been advocated for expanded roles, as their inclusion would reflect a more diverse global consensus and enhance the Council’s legitimacy.
TNE: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the Security Council as “old” and inefficient. Can you elaborate on that?
ER: Absolutely. Guterres pointed out that the geopolitical divisions from the Cold War era no longer apply today. The idea of a divided world—between the West and socialist countries—is a relic. Most countries are now capitalistically aligned, and there’s an increasing consensus on the need for a more democratic approach to global governance. This situation emphasizes the inefficiencies that arise from the veto power held by a few nations.
TNE: It’s interesting to hear about the global shift towards multilateralism. How do you see that evolving in the face of rising authoritarianism in some regions?
ER: It is a challenge. Authoritarian regimes often resist the scrutiny and demands for accountability that come with multilateral discourse. However, as you mentioned in the article, the practice of professional journalism serves as a crucial pillar of democracy, which in turn bolsters multilateral efforts. The push for transparency and accountability can prevail, but it requires solidarity among democratic nations and civil society.
TNE: Speaking of journalism and democracy, what role do you believe media outlets should play in these discussions?
ER: Media plays a vital role in informing the public and holding leaders accountable. They can highlight the importance of these negotiations, ensuring that citizens understand how global decisions affect their lives. Encouraging public discourse around these issues makes it harder for policymakers to ignore the demands for reform.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Rivera, for your insights. As these negotiations continue, it’s clear that the path forward will require both political will and public engagement to achieve meaningful change.
ER: Thank you for having me. It’s an essential conversation, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds in the future.