Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Norberto Moretti, at the General Debate of the Second Committee of the 79th General Assembly - October 7th, 2024

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Brazil aligns itself with the statement made by Uganda on behalf of the G77 and China.

Last week, I had the honor of congratulating you, Mr. President, on your election to lead the work of the Second Committee.

The theme for this year’s general debate, “Fostering resilience and growth in an uncertain world,” highlights the magnitude of the challenges we currently face.

Since the establishment of the United Nations, Brazil has consistently advocated for placing economic and social development at the heart of multilateral discussions.

However, faced with multiple crises, from climate change to armed conflicts, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals is at risk, with progress either stagnating or regressing below 2015 levels.

The current multilateral system has proven ineffective in meeting the needs of our people. Reform of global governance structures, including the UN, the International Financial Architecture, and the WTO, is urgently needed.

Under Brazil's G20 Presidency, we have already made significant strides towards comprehensive change, ahead of the UN's 80th Anniversary. This is reflected in the G20 Call to Action on Global Governance Reform, launched at the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting during the High-Level Week, which brought together representatives from 74 countries, including 69 ministers and 6 Heads of International Organizations. We invite all member states to join this initiative to reshape global governance structures to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.

The forthcoming Fourth Financing for Development Conference is a critical opportunity to push these efforts forward. The conference presents a chance to redefine the global financial system, create a fairer international tax system, and unlock new sources of development financing.

The current conditions for accessing financial resources are overly restrictive for low- and middle-income countries, with debt burdens limiting their ability to invest in vital areas such as health, education, inequality reduction, and climate action. Debt restructuring is essential to allow these countries to invest in their people and infrastructure. It is unacceptable that African nations face borrowing costs up to eight times higher than those of developed countries, a glaring inequity that perpetuates poverty and underdevelopment.

Brazil calls for urgent reforms to global governance institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank, which are outdated and fail to address the needs of developing nations. Comprehensive changes are needed to make these institutions more inclusive, including simplifying procedures, reducing conditionalities, and reforming voting structures to ensure equitable leadership and access to concessional financing.

Moreover, while the wealth of the world's richest individuals has skyrocketed—with the top five billionaires more than doubling their wealth since the start of this decade—60% of humanity has grown poorer. The super-rich pay proportionally less in taxes than the working class, exacerbating global inequality. In response, Brazil is proposing a global tax on ultra-high net worth individuals, potentially raising $250 billion annually. This revenue could be directed towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through investments in health, education, and climate action.

Mr. President,

As outlined in the Pact for the Future, poverty remains the greatest global challenge, and its eradication is essential for all humanity. While we have the necessary resources, knowledge, and tools to overcome poverty and hunger, action remains insufficient, with figures remaining alarmingly high.

In November, Brazil will join its G20 partners in launching the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger. The mission of this initiative is straightforward: to support countries seeking to advance Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 by providing the necessary financial and knowledge resources through a multi-pillar structure. We extend an invitation to all member states to participate in this effort to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

Brazil remains fully committed to combating climate change, as evidenced by our hosting of COP30 in Belem next year, and our involvement in the collaborative work of the first-ever COP presidency troika on Mission 1.5, as outlined in decision 1/CMA.5, adopted in Dubai. The latest scientific evidence, including reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stresses that the window to meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets is closing.

Achieving two key outcomes at COPs 29 and 30 is critical. In Baku, we must finalize the new collective quantified goal, which will pave the way for increased climate finance from developed to developing nations, upholding the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Then, at COP30, parties to the Paris Agreement must submit a fresh round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), offering hope for climate justice and a sustainable future.

We also recognize that addressing climate change relies on our commitment to the other two Rio Conventions. Brazil stands ready to support Colombia at COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali to ensure bold progress on enhanced financial support, capacity-building, and fair benefit-sharing for developing countries under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Furthermore, we will actively participate in COP16 of the Convention to Combat Desertification, working closely with Saudi Arabia.

Brazil is committed to translating the promises of the Global Digital Compact into concrete actions to bridge the digital divide and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, in conjunction with efforts under the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) framework. The Global Digital Compact offers a strong foundation for inclusive and representative digital governance, reducing disparities in the digital economy, and addressing the impacts of new and emerging technologies on the workforce and democracy.

We are witnessing a deepening divide in artificial intelligence, with talent, data, and infrastructure concentrated in a few countries and enterprises. It is crucial that we empower developing countries to not only benefit from this technology but also contribute to its ongoing development. We need AI systems that reflect the diverse realities of the Global South, act as tools for peace, respect human rights, and prioritize data protection and information integrity. The United Nations is an essential platform for an inclusive, development-oriented debate on AI governance, ensuring that all nations have a voice in shaping the future of this technology.

I thank you!