Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 10:05 p.m.
Rio de Janeiro – The Brazilian presidency of the G20 ended Tuesday with a result that some describe as a success for multilateralism, in a world divided by deep geopolitical fractures.
At the end of a first day of intense debates at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, G20 leaders adopted the final declaration, marking a return to consensus after two years of impasse. It was a triumph for the diplomacy of President Lula da Silva, who was able to put forward his vision of more inclusive global governance and a more just and sustainable world.
“We have worked hard, although aware that we have only scratched the surface of the profound challenges facing the world,” Lula admitted, however.
The document addresses thorny issues, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, while supporting a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. He also endorses the idea of reforms to make global governance more efficient and more representative, as well as cooperating to “effectively” tax very wealthy individuals, initiatives promoted by Lula to reduce inequalities and hailed as a “historic” step. .
This consensus was welcomed by observers. According to Ronaldo Carmona, analyst at the Brazilian Center for International Relations, the outcome of this declaration reflects a remarkable achievement in a context of exacerbated global polarization between the G7 and NATO on the one hand, and the emerging economies grouped within the BRICS , on the other.
“The crisis of multilateralism is structural. Achieving a joint declaration, despite the current radicalization, particularly on the war in Ukraine, is a success of the Brazilian presidency,” he declared, emphasizing that the G20 remains the only space where these blocs can still dialogue.
The adoption of the declaration reflects Lula’s ability to influence multilateral dialogue and unite nations such as the United States, Russia, China and Germany. Even Javier Milei’s Argentina, initially skeptical, ended up supporting the text thanks to concerted mediation by Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, thus avoiding diplomatic isolation.
“Opposing this text would have isolated Milei, not only from Brazil, but also from the entire G20,” explained Roberto Goulart Menezes, professor of international relations at the University of Brasilia.
One of the big results was the launch of the Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Already bringing together 148 members, including 82 countries, this initiative aims to reach half a billion people by 2030.
“This will be our greatest legacy,” said Lula, a former worker who made the fight against poverty a personal fight.
“A true global fight. It must continue,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission on X, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the role of this initiative for food security and improving the conditions of the most vulnerable.
While it is true that Brazil has been able to take advantage of its presidency of the G20 to carry out bold projects, climate ambitions remain muted. Three days before the end of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the summit failed to provide a decisive boost, while the bloc represents 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for 85% of GDP. global.
Lula nonetheless urged leaders to act, calling it a “fight for survival.”
While South Africa has taken the reins of the G20, Brazil is preparing to take on other challenges next year: the presidency of the BRICS and the hosting of the COP30 in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon .
