On November 18-19, 2024, leaders of the G20 nations convened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, amidst significant global tensions regarding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, proposals for a global tax on the wealthy, and differences in approaches to a just energy transition.
The summit, taking place at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio, is heavily secured with approximately 20,000 military and police personnel, effectively transforming the Flamengo neighborhood into a fortified zone.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is hosting the event, welcoming a diverse group of leaders including Joe Biden (USA), Xi Jinping (China), Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico), Javier Milei (Argentina), Narendra Modi (India), Emmanuel Macron (France), and Olaf Scholz (Germany). Russia is represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as President Vladimir Putin declined the invitation amid an international arrest warrant related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The invasion of Ukraine, now approaching its third anniversary, poses a significant challenge for Brazil in achieving a consensus declaration at the summit. The situation in the Middle East has also escalated, with nearly 45,000 deaths reported in Gaza and 3,500 in Lebanon over the past year due to Israel's military actions.
Brazilian delegation head Mauricio Lyrio stated that negotiations on geopolitical issues are ongoing, emphasizing the need for a message of peace, although this sentiment may not align with the expectations of Western powers like the USA, UK, and EU, who are wary of Russia and China.
Despite these challenges, Brazil aims to focus the summit on three main issues: eradicating hunger, reforming international organizations (such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO), and facilitating a fair energy transition. A significant initiative, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, is set to be launched, targeting the alarming statistic of 733 million chronically undernourished individuals worldwide.
Additionally, Brazil seeks to advance discussions on a global tax for the ultra-wealthy, a proposal that has faced opposition from countries like the USA and Germany. The topic of energy transition is expected to be addressed in a plenary session on November 19, highlighting the demands of emerging economies for equitable financing from developed nations for environmental preservation.
The summit may also be influenced by the uncertainty surrounding the potential return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in January, as well as Javier Milei's opposition to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Argentina's recent withdrawal from agreements on women's empowerment and other key issues raises concerns about the potential for further complications in negotiations.