Countries have agreed on a final declaration in Rio

The Group of Twenty (G20) countries unexpectedly agreed on a joint final declaration on the first day of their summit in Rio de Janeiro. However, there is little consensus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

With minimal consensus on Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, the Group of 20 (G20) major economic powers reluctantly agreed on a joint summit declaration in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian presidency released the 85-point document on the first day of the summit.

As was the case at last year's India summit, Russia's war in Ukraine is no longer explicitly condemned by most countries. This is still true of the Bali conference two years ago. Russia, itself a member of the G20, is again not mentioned in the passage on the war in Ukraine. There is only general reference to “human suffering and the negative additional effects of war”, such as on food and energy security.

Middle East: No mention of Hamas terror attacks

From the perspective of some countries such as Germany, not only is this passage difficult to accept, but this passage about the war in the Middle East is also difficult to accept. There was no mention of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Before the summit, German government sources said that the result of such negotiations was “unacceptable.”

In the statement, the “G20” is currently concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation of the situation in Lebanon. Humanitarian aid must be urgently expanded and protection of civilians strengthened – a clear message to Israel. The G20 also reaffirmed the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and its “firm commitment” to a two-state solution.

Before the summit, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar demanded that the G20 recognize Israel's right to self-defense in a communiqué, demand the release of all hostages, and condemn the terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah that Israel is waging war in the Gaza Strip. Lebanon. Statements that fail to mention these points will only encourage Iran and its allies to continue sowing the seeds of instability throughout the Middle East, Sa'ar wrote.

Deep divisions within the G20

The two conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are the biggest rifts between G20 countries. It includes major Western democracies such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as authoritarian countries such as Russia and China. Hosts Brazil and countries like India and South Africa fall somewhere in between the two camps.

Host country Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva did not even put the two wars on the agenda. To the chagrin of Germany and other Western countries, he did not invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lula's agenda largely emphasizes the problems of the so-called “global South,” the emerging countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Hunger, global warming, taxing the super rich

He was able to incorporate important ideas into the final document: the fight against hunger and global warming and the reform of international organizations.

The G20 countries also want to work on effective taxation of the super-rich in the future. “We will work together to effectively tax the very wealthy without interfering with states' tax sovereignty,” the statement said. This confirms the minimal consensus reached by G20 finance ministers since July.

The billionaire tax is based on a proposal from host country Brazil. Accordingly, everyone with assets of $1 billion or more should pay at least 2% tax to their home country each year. It is estimated that this will affect around 3,000 people – generating up to $250 billion in additional tax revenue globally each year.

But even before the G20 finance ministers meeting in July, influential countries such as the United States and Germany (the finance ministry was then led by the Free Democratic Party) opposed Brazil's proposal. Here too, only a minimal consensus has been reached, currently supported by heads of state and government.

NGOs criticize climate protection bill

In addition, G20 countries reiterated in Rio the internationally agreed goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Regarding climate finance, we are pleased with the success of the World Climate Conference in Baku.

According to environmental group Global Citizen, G20 countries are passing on the blame. European Commission Vice President Friederike Röder criticized: “Although G20 members are the main obstructionists, they have once again shied away from their responsibilities and let others clean up the mess.” However, European Commission President Ursula Ursula ·Ursula von der Leyen expressed satisfaction with X. The joint statement will advance the fight against global poverty and climate change.

The UN Security Council should be modernized

In the final declaration, the G20 countries also announced their desire to work on reforming the UN Security Council. The most important industrialized and emerging countries have called for greater representation of previously underrepresented Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was also established in Rio. The final declaration said there was a lack of knowledge or resources, but not the political will to get people access to food. The organization advocates for school feeding programs or improving access to microcredit. This initiative is one of the central themes of Brazil's G20 presidency. “This will be our greatest legacy,” Lula said at the start of the summit.

The Kremlin believes that alleged U.S. missile launches in preparation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory have drawn Western countries into the war. “If such a decision is indeed formulated and communicated to the regime in Kiev, it will take a new turn in the escalation spiral,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow.