The first day of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro is drawing to a close. During two sessions, the group’s leaders discussed tackling hunger and poverty, as well as global governance reform.

At the opening of the summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva noted that 81 countries, 26 international organisations, nine financial institutions and 31 non-governmental and charitable organisations had joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, the creation of which was initiated by the Brazilian side.

Lula da Silva explained that the new association will focus on the development of international recommendations and on the financing and implementation of public projects aimed at strengthening social inclusion and food security.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that in the speech at the plenary session, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov supported the Brazilian initiative to create the alliance. According to her, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted the significant contribution of BRICS to solving the problems of global development.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the session. He drew attention to the fact that over the past 10 years the republic has lifted 250 million people out of poverty. In addition, the head of the government spoke about the initiatives of the Indian leadership to ensure food security. For example, free food for more than 800 million people and implementation of the country’s largest health insurance programme covering 550 million citizens.

Modi urged G20 nations to keep the interests and priorities of developing countries first and foremost in their deliberations.

“Just as we amplified the voice of the Global South by granting permanent membership of G20 to the African Union during the New Delhi Summit, we will reform institutions of global governance”

Narendra Modi Indian Prime Minister

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his speech, presented eight Chinese initiatives that contribute to global development. They include cooperation within the framework of the One Belt, One Road initiative, support for African states, implementation of the G20 action plan on anti-corruption, open scientific cooperation and others.

“We should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, energise sustainable development with new technologies, new industries and new business forms, and support developing countries in better integrating in digital, smart and green development to bridge the North-South gap”

Xi Jinping Chinese President

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised that food security will be one of the priorities of South Africa’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2025. He called on G20 countries to create new mechanisms of large-scale financing to support sustainable development.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the summit, said that at the meeting participants made commitments to reform the financial architecture to make it more responsive to the needs of countries in the Global South.

“The AU did make an important statement, particularly on the financing of Agenda 2063, financing of the Africa Free Trade Continental Area, the flagship programme, and also the general finance for the development in Africa. […] The AU has made a very important call to up this type of financing so that the continent can also focus on development, economic integration, and also issues of climate adaptation”

Ronald Lamola South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

The G20 summit is taking place in Rio de Janeiro on 18-19 November as part of Brazil’s presidency of the G20. Representatives from 42 countries are attending the summit.

Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / Flickr