Brazil Hands Over G20 Presidency to South Africa, Highlights Achievements in Sustainability and Equality
Date: November 19, 2024
G20 Leadership: At the closing ceremony of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 19, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva formally handed over the presidency of the G20 to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. During the event, President Lula outlined Brazil’s key accomplishments during its presidency, emphasizing progress in ethnic-racial equality, women’s empowerment, sustainability, and initiatives benefiting Africa.
Brazil’s G20 Achievements
President Lula highlighted several landmark initiatives under Brazil’s presidency:
- Creation of the G20 Social Summit to address global social challenges.
- Roadmap for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): Enhancing financial frameworks to better serve developing nations.
- Women’s Empowerment Working Group: A dedicated platform to promote gender equality and support women’s roles in economic and social development.
- Inclusion of SDG 18 on Ethnic-Racial Equality: A new addition aimed at addressing racial disparities on a global scale.
- Renewable Energy Goals: Commitment to increasing renewable energy production by 2023.
- Coalition for Local Vaccine Production: Boosting regional manufacturing of vaccines and medicines to ensure equitable access.
- Investment in Water and Sanitation: Policies to improve access to clean water and sanitation in underserved regions.
A Collaborative Presidency
Reflecting on Brazil’s leadership, President Lula emphasized the collaborative approach taken during the presidency, noting that over 140 meetings were held across 15 Brazilian cities, fostering diverse discussions and actionable outcomes. Lula remarked:
“We have only scratched the surface of the profound challenges facing the world. Greater collaboration between Sherpa and Finance Tracks has led to more significant results.”
A Focus on the Global South
In his speech, Lula acknowledged the shared heritage and aspirations of Africa and Latin America, emphasizing the need for stronger cooperation between nations in the Global South. As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency, Lula expressed optimism about the opportunities to strengthen these ties and evaluate the role of the G20 in addressing global challenges.
President Ramaphosa’s upcoming presidency signals a continued focus on the priorities of the developing world, with hopes for increased representation and influence within global decision-making platforms.
Looking Ahead
As the G20 presidency rotates, South Africa’s leadership will carry forward many of the frameworks laid by Brazil, especially in areas such as sustainability, renewable energy, and social equity. Lula concluded with a call for introspection and a commitment to improving the G20’s role in fostering inclusive and sustainable global development.
This transition symbolizes a growing emphasis on the voices of the Global South, paving the way for more inclusive solutions to global challenges.
Read more:
- Lula Launches Global Alliance to Combat Hunger at G20
- Modi at G20: Sustainable Development & Energy Transition (2024)
- PM Modi’s remarks at the closing ceremony of G20 summit (10/09/2023)
- G20 Osaka Leaders’ Declaration-(28/29-2019)
- Remarks by President Xi Jinping at Session I of the 16th G20 Leaders’ Summit
