The Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit kicked off with heads of state and their delegates being welcomed at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday.
Brazil is hosting heads of state from the world’s 20 largest economies, as well as representatives from the European Union and the African Union for the two-day summit.
This gathering of world leaders has been convened to discuss critical issues affecting the globe, with a specific focus on climate change.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United States President Joe Biden, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the leaders in attendance.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed the leaders of the G20 guest countries ahead of the first session, which focused on social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said the impacts of climate change were evidenced globally.
“Our times are tumultuous, and we need to race much faster to tackle fundamental common challenges. The climate crisis has burned through another record, with 2024 likely to be the hottest year in history,” he said.
“We see the impacts everywhere. Look no further than the drought in the Amazon and horrible floods in southern Brazil.”
Meanwhile, he said conflicts were raging and impunity spreading, with repeated violations of international law and the UN Charter.
“Inequality is growing, and progress on poverty and hunger has stalled. The Sustainable Development Goals are off track.”
He challenged G20 leaders to lead and tackle key global problems, including achieving peace.
He advocated for the strengthening of the global financial safety net to ensure all countries were protected when shocks occurred. In addition, he urged nations to agree on an ambitious climate finance goal that addressed the significant challenges faced by developing countries.
“Many challenges, but also many possible solutions. The G20 must lead by example," he said.
“This is fundamental to restoring trust, credibility, and legitimacy of every government and our global system in these turbulent times. We need to seize every opportunity to lead transformative action for a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world." – SAnews.gov.za
