Brazilian President Lula unveiled a global alliance to combat poverty and hunger at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, attended by leaders amid political tensions and climate concerns. The initiative gathered 81 countries, excluding Argentina. The summit addressed pressing topics, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, while emphasizing the urgency of climate action and financial support for developing countries.
At the Group of 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva inaugurated a global alliance dedicated to combating poverty and hunger. During his opening address, he attributed these challenges to political decisions and stressed the critical implications of climate change. Lula urged world leaders to take substantial measures to address these pressing issues, as the summit convened amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Eighty-one nations participated in the initiative, comprising 18 of the 19 G20 countries, along with the European Union and the African Union; Argentina was the sole G20 nation abstaining under the leadership of far-right President Javier Milei. Although Brazil and several other nations deemed the summit’s draft communique finalized, discussions persisted regarding potential revisions related to wars and climate concerns. The G20 gathering, held at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Modern Art, aimed to execute Lula’s agenda focused on hunger relief, climate action, and equitable taxation for the wealthy. Nonetheless, discussions surrounding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East featured prominently among the delegates, despite Ukraine not being formally on the agenda. Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor remarked, “Ukraine is not going to be an item on the formal agenda,” yet acknowledged its significance in discussions. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence, attributed to an international arrest warrant related to alleged war crimes in Ukraine, continued to spotlight the summit’s political tensions. His presence was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. U.S. President Biden attended, facing scrutiny due to his recent policy shift allowing Ukraine to employ long-range missiles against Russia, a move expected to affect European allies’ positions. With ongoing climate discussions at COP29 in Azerbaijan, G20 leaders face pressure to devise strategies aimed at mobilizing extensive funding for developing nations to address climate repercussions. This summit coincided with robust security measures following a recent botched bombing near Brazil’s Supreme Court. Additionally, a collaboration was announced between President Xi Jinping and leaders from Brazil, South Africa, and the African Union to enhance technological advancements accessible to the Global South, amidst escalating tensions concerning advanced semiconductors and technology rights.
The G20 is a forum comprising 19 nations and the European Union that collectively accounts for a significant portion of the world’s economy and population. This summit in Brazil highlights pressing global issues such as poverty, hunger, and climate change against the backdrop of international conflicts and economic disparities. President Lula’s agenda seeks to address these inequalities, emphasizing the need for political will and cooperation among nations to tackle these complex problems effectively, mirroring broader discussions occurring in the context of climate finance and geopolitical tensions.
The G20 Summit in Brazil served as a platform for President Lula to advocate for initiatives addressing poverty and hunger, while also navigating the intricate dynamics of global geopolitical tensions. The collective commitment from a majority of G20 nations illustrates a concerted effort to confront these challenges, yet significant discussions surrounding conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, remained at the forefront. The summit not only spotlighted urgent humanitarian concerns but also reinforced the need for united global action to address climate change and bolster technological collaboration in developing regions.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
