Address by Minister Mauro Vieira at the 3rd South Summit of the Group of 77 plus China

Mr. Chairman, Minister Abubaker Odongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda,

Fellow Heads of State and Government and Ministers,

 I am honored to participate in the Third South Summit, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Group of 77.

As one of the founders of this group, Brazil is convinced that convening this Summit provides an opportunity to convey to the international community our clear and sound commitment to multilateralism, so much in need in present days.

As Cuba concludes its successful presidency of the G77, Brazil commends its leadership and the excellent work accomplished during this term. We extend a warm welcome to Uganda as the new chair of the Group.

Mr. Chair,

Current multilateral institutions, mostly created over 75 years ago, reflect an international system and a world order that no longer exists. These institutions are no longer capable of addressing the multidimensional challenges the world faces today. We need an urgent reform of the international system to make them more representative, legitimate and effective.

The need for reform the Security Council is more urgent than ever. The more frequent, more complex, and more deadly crises we are facing today are partly a consequence of the still prevailing and yet obsolete mentality of some powers that insist to divide the world in zones of influence and bring the Security Council to a stalemate. Therefore, Brazil is firmly committed to a comprehensive reform, including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members. We must find ways to unlock multilateral action. It is essential for the G77 to unite in pursuit of such reform.

We also recognize the urgent need to increase the participation of developing countries in the decision-making and governance structures of International Financial Institutions. It is essential to reduce bureaucracy and conditionalities, increase concessional financing, promote true national ownership, and provide policy space for developing countries. At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, it is necessary to guarantee the adequate means of implementation for our shared development goals, which include the full realization of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

It is crucial that developed countries meet their commitments on financing for development, such as allocating 0.7% of their Gross Domestic Products to Official Development Assistance (ODA) and achieving the initial US$ 100 billion annual target on climate finance. I cannot stress enough that developed countries bear the primary responsibility for financing for development, including through international cooperation.

We must reaffirm the importance of all the principles of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We must also reiterate our commitment to the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and all other major outcome documents. In this light, allow me to reassure you that Brazil is fully committed to the success of the UNFCC COP 30 that will be hosted in Belém do Pará, a gateway to the great Amazon forest and a symbol of our commitment to sustainable development.

Combating climate change is of the utmost importance. We need to maintain a balanced approach to sustainable development. Industrialization, economic diversification and the production of higher value-added goods are crucial for development. We must continue to fight for greater access to international markets for our goods and services, and combat the current wave of growing protectionism. Finally, we must put an end to unilateral coercive measures and illegal and unfair sanctions, which shackle and punish many developing countries and keep them from reaping the benefits of international trade and investments.

Cuba has been victim of illegal commercial and financial embargo for over 60 years. The embargo must come to an end, and Cuba should also be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. It is known that Cuba has made significant contributions to peace, dialogue, and stability in our region and beyond. It is therefore unacceptable that the Cuban people continue to suffer the effects of unilateral sanctions.

During Brazil´s presidency of the G20, we will put the concerns, interests, and needs of developing countries at the heart of our agenda. As defined by President Lula, Brazil’s G20 chairship set three priorities that synthesize our ambition to “build a just world and a sustainable planet”, as follows:

1) to foster social inclusion and fight poverty and hunger;

2) to promote energy transitions and sustainable development in its three pillars – the economic, social and environmental; and

3) to advance the reform of global governance institutions.

We will redouble our efforts in the fight against hunger. To this end, President Lula has proposed a Task Force for the establishment of a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. In his words, ending hunger is a “civilizational challenge for the entire planet”, a challenge which we can overcome, but only with political will and the reinforcement of multilateralism.

The G20 brings together a substantial share of the world´s GDP and population. The inclusion of the African Union, in that sense, greatly adds to the bloc.

Lastly, Brazil desires a strengthened and modernized WTO that fully incorporates development and the SDGs into its agenda. A reformed WTO should not neglect long-standing promises, such as agricultural reform, which is essential to food security.

It is also of the utmost importance to reach an agreement that allows dispute settlement system of the Organization to properly function again. Without this crucial branch, the WTO cannot deliver the results we all expect.

Mr. Chair,

Brazil deeply regrets the continuation of the war in Gaza and the systematic worsening of the situation in the Middle East. The increasing number of victims among the civilian population is especially worrying and out of any notion of proportionality.

While we reaffirm our unequivocal rejection and condemnation of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, we call on Israel to adhere unconditionally to International Law and International Humanitarian Law in its military actions, especially protecting civilians. It is urgent to reach a lasting ceasefire and to ensure the continuous provision of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza through all viable channels.

We continue to reaffirm our resolute commitment to a two-state solution, with a viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.

We also urge all parties involved to avoid the spillover of the conflict to other countries in the region, which would have unpredictable consequences at both regional and global levels.

Mr. Chair,

As I conclude my speech, allow me to reiterate that South-South cooperation is not a substitute but a complement to North-South cooperation.

The agenda of South-South cooperation should be determined by Southern countries, guided by principles such as respect for national sovereignty, national ownership, independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs, and mutual benefit.

In this sense, Brazil renews its commitment to the principles outlined in the Charter of Algiers of 1964, particularly those of unity, complementarity, cooperation, and solidarity among developing countries.

Rest assured that Brazil will remain committed to intensifying our efforts for the well-being and prosperity of the countries and peoples of the South.

 Thank you.