G20 member countries released a joint statement Monday evening at the intergovernmental organization's summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They have notably taken a position in favor of initiatives for peace in Ukraine, without openly condemning the Russian invasion, and say they support a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. On the tax front, the world's largest economies say they want the wealthiest people to be ” Effectively “ taxed.
Here's what to take away from this statement.
For a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine
“We welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives in favor of a just peace” et « durable » in Ukraine, say the members of the G20.
They recall the principles of the United Nations Charter “for the promotion of peaceful, friendly and good-neighborly relations among nations.” But like last year during the New Delhi summit, if the text generally denounces “the threat and use of force” aimed at obtaining territorial gains, it does not explicitly mention a ” assault “ Russian.
In front of journalists, Emmanuel Macron estimated Monday evening that this declaration “would have benefited from being more explicit” on the conflict in Ukraine and that it “is below the formulas that we had already been able to obtain.”
Support for a ceasefire in the Middle East
The G20 countries also said “united to support a ceasefire” in Gaza and Lebanon.
“While expressing our deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation in Lebanon, we emphasize the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and strengthen the protection of civilians,” also affirm the members of the group of the largest economies on the planet in their declaration.
“Effectively” tax the wealthiest
At the initiative of Brazilian President Lula, currently head of the G20, the leaders of the member countries endorsed the idea of cooperating to tax ” Effectively “ very wealthy people.
“With full respect for fiscal sovereignty, we will seek to engage in a cooperative manner to ensure that very wealthy individuals are effectively taxed,” they indicate.
The economist specializing in inequalities Gabriel Zucman, from whom the Brazilian presidency of the G20 had commissioned a report on the subject earlier this year, welcomed “a historic decision”.
No progress on the climate
On the environmental front, G20 leaders recognize “the need to increase climate finance” and take it to “trillions of dollars, from all sources.” But without specifying who will put their hand in their pocket.
They have therefore not made any major progress to unblock the negotiations at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, supposed to decide who should finance adaptation to climate change.
The members of the G20 did not include in their press release the commitment to “make a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems”, which was snatched from the last COP last year in Dubai.
