The G20 leaders unanimously approved the final declaration of the summit which took place in Rio de Janeiro under the rigorous and omnipresent presence of security forces. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva achieved a political victory thanks to two of his main initiatives, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Povertyand the tax on “super rich” They were not left on the street. The final text, of 22 pages and 85 paragraphs, carefully negotiated by Brazilian diplomacy, as host country, was not without its twists and turns. “We are united in support of a comprehensive ceasefire in Gazain accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735, and in Lebanon, allowing citizens to safely return to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line”, the Presidents and Heads of State agreed. At the same time they expressed theirs “deep concern” for the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in these two conflict zones in the Middle East. The leaders also considered “the urgent need expand the flow of humanitarian aid” and strengthen the protection of civilians. Affirming “the right of Palestinians to self-determination,” the G20 reiterated its “unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution, in which Israel and a Palestinian state live side by side, in peace, within safe and recognized.” , in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions”.
The 20 countries representing 85% of global GDP have reaffirmed that all states must do so act consistently with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in its entirety and in this sense “refrain from the threat or use of force to seek to obtain territory against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any State”.
The North American Joe Biden He greeted his colleagues with the intuition that they were already thinking about his successor, Donald Trumpwhen speaking or speaking in private. The documents sought another balance. The Ukrainian questiona part occupied with the most annoying negotiations. At the last moment, explained the Rio de Janeiro newspaper ‘O Globo’, “two words in two different paragraphs” were inserted which allowed the obstacles to be overcome. The G20 said, without naming Russia, “that all parties must do so fulfill its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and in this sense we condemn all attacks against civilians and infrastructure”. The last word was fundamental and alluded to the latest attacks ordered by Moscow. The ninth paragraph also required l ’adverb “specifically” to recall the discussions at the previous New Delhi summit on Ukraine, where ”human suffering and the further negative impacts of war on food security and global energy crisis, supply chains, macro-financial stability, inflation and growth.” The 20 countries “welcomed all relevant and constructive initiatives that support global, just and lasting peace, upholding all the purposes and principles of the Charter of United Nations for the promotion of peaceful, friendly and good-neighborly relations among nations.”
The tax on large fortunes
Brazil has managed to channel one of its main proposals, that of a tax on the largest fortunes on the planet. The text argues that, although “fiscal sovereignty” must be “fully respected”, the G20 seeks to “cooperate” so that “large fortunes are effectively taxed.” The aforementioned cooperation “may include the exchange of good practices, the promotion of debate on tax principles and the development of mechanisms against tax evasion, including the fight against potentially harmful tax practices”. The document argues that “progressive taxation is one of the main tools to reduce internal inequalities, strengthen fiscal sustainability, promote budget consolidation
The G20 pledges to continue discussing the creation of a tax on the super-rich /RC
Sustainability and climate change
Next, the statement highlights this “There will be no sustainability or prosperity without peaceTo “reap the fruits of our joint efforts” and “promote sustainable development in all its dimensions – social, economic and environmental – we must better equip the world with reformed global governance.”
However, the G20 renewed its opinion commitment to achieve net zero emissions by mid-centuryincrease renewable energy and energy efficiency over the next six years. It was also decided to launch the Working Group for Global Mobilization against Climate Change and promote itr “innovative” mechanisms with the aim of reducing land degradation by 50%. by 2040. At a particularly sensitive time for host countries and the region at large, the document promises to take measures to prevent, manage and address the negative effects of extreme droughts and forest fires.
The world, the statement notes, is facing “a multi-faceted crisis in which political and geopolitical tensions jeopardize our ability to address challenges such as promoting growth, reducing poverty and combating climate change.” . Faced with the scale of the challenges, it is imperative to strengthen “global governance for present and future generations”. The G20 expresses its commitment to “work towards a reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system, rooted in the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law”.
The 20 presidents also underlined that “to ensure the safe and reliable development, deployment and use” of artificial intelligence “protection of human rights, transparency, fairness, accountability, regulation, security and , adequate human control, ethics, bias, privacy, data protection and data governance”. the document ratifies the commitment to the 2030 Agenda with a call to attention: only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track. She reiterated “the commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, something that caused resentment in the Argentine delegation.
Argentine dissidence
The far-right Javier Milei has landed in Rio de Janeiro as a sort of voluntary spokesperson for Trump’s most extreme positions. On a personal level, he expressed his reservations on some points of the document. Their comments were not included in the final version. Argentina has finally joined the World Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. He was unable to snub Brazil, which will soon import gas in proportions from the neighboring country, according to a bilateral agreement signed a few hours ago. Argentine diplomacy said it wanted to make “differences” without “blocking the declaration of other leaders”. The president himself clearly expressed his disagreement when it was his turn to speak: “Every time we tried to fight hunger and poverty with measures that increased the presence of the State in the economy, the result was the exodus of population and capital, as well as millions of human lives lost. In the midst of discussions on global governance reform, the capitalist anarcho formulated his harshest concepts: “do not count on us” for the implementation of the policies he considers “socialist”. Milei defended his “rebellion” against programs that “transgress” property rights “through taxes and regulations.”
What were the main outcomes of the G20 summit discussed in the interview?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and G20 Summit Expert
Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. As we continue to analyze the outcomes of the recent G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, we’re fortunate to be speaking with Dr. Julia Martinez, an expert in international relations and global governance. Dr. Martinez, what are your initial thoughts on the significance of the final declaration issued by the G20 leaders?
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me. The final declaration is indeed significant as it reflects the collective stance of major economies on pressing global issues. The fact that there was unanimous support for key initiatives like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty indicates a growing acknowledgment of global inequalities—an important first step in addressing these issues comprehensively.
Editor: One of the standout achievements was Brazil’s proposal for a tax on the super-rich. How do you think this initiative will impact fiscal policy discussions moving forward?
Dr. Martinez: It’s a bold initiative that could set a precedent for progressive taxation globally. The insistence on respecting ”fiscal sovereignty” while promoting cooperation suggests a willingness to engage in dialogue about tax reforms. This could lead to enhanced mechanisms to tackle tax evasion and inequality, which have become increasingly urgent issues amid rising global poverty rates.
Editor: The summit also addressed the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon, with leaders emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. What implications do these discussions have for international diplomacy?
Dr. Martinez: The emphasis on humanitarian aid and the right to self-determination for Palestinians is a critical diplomatic stance. The G20’s commitment to a two-state solution aligns with long-standing international frameworks but also highlights the importance of proactive measures. The success of these declarations will depend on the willingness of member states to hold one another accountable and ensure that these promises translate into real action.
Editor: Shifting gears, sustainability and climate change were major themes at the summit, including commitments to achieve net-zero emissions. How realistic do you think these targets are, given the current geopolitical landscape?
Dr. Martinez: While ambitious, the targets set forth are achievable if there’s genuine commitment among the G20 nations. However, we must acknowledge that the “multi-faceted crisis” of political tension and economic instability complicates the implementation of such agreements. The formation of a working group to mobilize against climate change is a positive step, but it will require robust global governance mechanisms to succeed.
Editor: The G20 also mentioned the need to regulate and utilize artificial intelligence ethically. What are the potential challenges we face here?
Dr. Martinez: The challenges are substantial. While there’s consensus on the need for regulation, the diversity of legal frameworks, privacy concerns, and ethical considerations across countries can complicate the development of universal standards. Furthermore, ensuring transparency and accountability in AI applications is critical, especially as these technologies increasingly impact daily life and global security.
Editor: Lastly, with Joe Biden referencing thoughts around his successor in his discussions with fellow leaders, what do you think this implies for future U.S. leadership on the global stage?
Dr. Martinez: It reflects a degree of uncertainty about U.S. continuity in leadership, which could affect global alliances and the implementation of G20 agreements. Depending on the outcome of the upcoming elections, the next U.S. administration may bring different priorities to the table. This unpredictability can create challenges for multilateral initiatives but also present opportunities for other nations to step into leadership roles.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that the outcomes of the G20 summit will play a significant role in shaping international relations in the coming years.
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these crucial issues.