G20 leaders in Rio addressed global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, and called for greater cooperation on climate change, poverty, and tax reform. Brazil launched a global alliance against hunger, while China and the U.S. focused on supporting developing nations.
Leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Monday for a two-day summit, where they issued a joint statement highlighting the profound human toll of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The leaders also emphasized the need for increased international cooperation on pressing issues such as climate change, poverty reduction, and tax policy.
The summit, held at Rio’s Modern Art Museum, was marked by discussions on the shifting global landscape, with leaders working to strengthen multilateral agreements in the face of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming return to office in January. As Trump has promised to implement sweeping policy changes, from tariffs to a potential negotiated resolution on the war in Ukraine, these developments were a key backdrop for the summit’s deliberations.
While the leaders acknowledged the ongoing conflicts, the joint statement succinctly addressed the escalating war in Ukraine, focusing on the "human suffering" caused by the conflict and its economic impact. The statement also expressed "deep concern" over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging increased aid and civilian protection, along with calls for a comprehensive ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Despite a recent Russian airstrike in Ukraine, European diplomats, who initially sought stronger language on the conflict, ultimately agreed to the final wording of the statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the summit, sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his place.
Intense negotiations over the weekend led to a consensus on climate change and financial commitments to developing nations. G20 leaders agreed on the urgent need to reach an agreement by the end of the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan on how much wealthy nations should contribute to poorer countries to combat climate change. However, the statement stopped short of providing specifics on how to resolve the climate finance issue at COP29.
As the host of this year’s G20 summit, Brazil focused on addressing extreme poverty and hunger, as well as advocating for fair tax policies targeting the world's wealthiest individuals. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the summit by launching a global alliance to combat hunger and poverty, with support from over 80 countries, multilateral banks, and major philanthropies. Lula, who was born into poverty, emphasized that hunger and poverty are not the result of scarcity but of political decisions. "In a world that produces almost six billion tons of food per year, this is unacceptable," he stated.
While Brazil’s agenda emphasized global poverty and taxation issues, there were concerns that these efforts could lose momentum once President Trump takes office. However, world leaders acknowledged that Brazil’s leadership had pushed the G20 to engage with topics that challenge the traditional dominance of Western powers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that the balance of global power is shifting, with major developing economies seeking a more influential role in global governance. "These countries want to have their say. And they will no longer accept that everything will continue to be the way it has been for decades," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping took the opportunity to announce several initiatives aimed at supporting developing economies, particularly those in the "Global South." These included proposals for increased scientific cooperation with Brazil and African nations, as well as lowering trade barriers for least developed countries. Xi’s active participation underscored China’s growing influence on the global stage.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden, who is nearing the end of his term, participated in the summit while facing multiple international crises, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. As the world watches for policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration, Xi has used the summit to highlight China’s economic rise, including the launch of major infrastructure projects like the new deep-water port in Peru, part of China’s Belt and Road initiative.
Though Brazil has so far opted not to join the Belt and Road initiative, there is optimism for further industrial partnerships, with Xi set to conclude his visit to Brazil with a state visit to Brasília on Wednesday.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to l...
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the Gulf conflict, as tensions remain high des...
Hezbollah has pledged to defend the region against Israeli forces, warning it will resist any move to occupy southern Lebanon, as Israel sets out p...
Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the M...
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated Tehran’s stand on the latest developments in the I...
In 2025, climate talks, security negotiations and trade diplomacy defined a year of high-level summits. Leaders met across continents to confront conflict, debate climate responsibility and shape global priorities. Some eased tensions, others exposed divisions, but all left their mark.
The United States officially assumed the 12-month presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies on Monday, pledging to refocus the forum on economic growth and innovation, amid lingering tensions with outgoing host South Africa.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to exclude Pretoria from next year’s G20 summit, calling the remarks “baseless” and reaffirming the country’s status as a founding member of the group.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami, the first time a member nation has been excluded in the forum’s two-decade history
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.
Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.
Pakistan has offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran to bring an end to the conflict, while Lebanon has ordered the Iranian Ambassador to leave the country. Meanwhile, oil prices continue rising as the fallout from the Middle East conflict continues.
Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.
FinaFinal results from Slovenia’s parliamentary elections indicate a near tie between the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) and the liberal Freedom Movement Slovenia (GS), leaving neither side with a clear path to power.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
China is raising domestic petrol and diesel prices under temporary measures to manage a sharp surge in global oil costs, aiming to support fuel suppliers while maintaining market stability during a period of heightened volatility.
Russia launched drones and missiles overnight on Tuesday at Ukraine, killing at least three people, damaging houses and triggering fires, Ukrainian officials said.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.
Australia and the European Union signed a trade deal on Tuesday that was eight years in the making, removing tariffs for almost all European goods and for nearly all exports of Australian critical minerals.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment