Leaders of the G20 nations concluded their summit in Rio de Janeiro with the adoption of a joint declaration establishing a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
The initiative, spearheaded by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aims to mobilize funding and technical expertise to implement social protection programs in developing nations. Under the terms of the alliance, member states and international organizations will share successful policy models to reduce chronic malnutrition and extreme poverty, focusing on cash transfer programs and sustainable agricultural practices.
The declaration includes a commitment to reform global governance institutions, specifically the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund, to increase the representation of the Global South. Member states agreed to a framework that encourages the diversification of reserve currencies to reduce dependence on a single dominant currency, though no specific timeline for implementation was established.
Diplomatic negotiations regarding the conflict in Gaza resulted in a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The final text urges all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and emphasizes the necessity of unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. The language avoids direct condemnation of specific parties, focusing instead on the scale of the civilian crisis.
On the conflict in Ukraine, the G20 communiqué reiterated the importance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. The document acknowledges the impact of the war on global food security and energy markets, though it stops short of the explicit condemnation of the Russian Federation found in previous G7 statements.
The summit also addressed climate finance, with leaders affirming the goal of scaling up investment in clean energy and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The declaration references the need for increased financial support from developed nations to help emerging economies meet their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
During bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, U.S. President Joe Biden and President Lula discussed cooperation on climate goals and the management of regional stability in Latin America. These discussions occurred alongside meetings between leaders from the European Union and China, centering on trade tariffs and the regulation of electric vehicle imports.
The G20 presidency now transitions to South Africa, which will host the next summit in 2025.
