Lula urges G20 to lead on hunger, climate change, new global governance

In an event with the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York this Wednesday, September 25, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscored that nations in this group must not shirk their responsibilities in facing grave climate change crises. Lula called for effective actions against hunger and called for changes the governance of major multilateral institutions.

Each country may have its own vision of the ideal model for reforming the global governance system. However, we must all agree that the reform is fundamental and urgent.” – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Republic of Brazil

» Check out President Lula's full speech

“Brazil is working hard to ensure the G20 agenda can lead to concrete gains. The G20 is responsible for 80% of all greenhouse emissions. Its leadership in the mission of keeping global warming under one and a half degree will make a huge difference for the entire planet,” said Lula. In 2024, Brazil presides the G20 and will host the group's summit on November 18 and 19 in Rio de Janeiro. 

The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting marks an unprecedented chapter in the history of the United Nations, as it is the first time the group members meet in New York, in an event open to all the members of the Organization.

During his speech, Lula listed the main agendas he believes must be addressed, focusing on the pillars of social inclusion, climate change, and global governance. “At the core of our priorities is the fight against inequality in all its forms. This concern permeates the three pillars that guide our presidency,” he stressed.

SOCIAL INCLUSION – Regarding the pillar of social inclusion, the main concern is hunger eradication. “In July, we adopted the foundations of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, which is now open for membership and will be officially launched in November. The Alliance will mobilize technical and financial resources to promote a pool of public policies with confirmed efficacy against these scourges,” explained the Brazilian president.

At the core of our priorities is the fight against inequality in all its forms"

CLIMATE CHANGE – According to Lula, climate change requires that effective responsibilities be met not only by the nations but also by other sectors connected to the issue. “Brazil has brought to the climate debate stakeholders such as central banks and public development banks so as to ensure a just transition. We have approved the first document on the bioeconomy that was multilaterally agreed upon,” Lula recalled.

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE – The third pillar refers to reforming the global governance system in a way that can reposition the UN at the center of international decisions. According to Lula, this issue should be the focus of the New York meeting. “The international community is running around in circles. We have not been able to respond to global challenges because we exchanged multilateralism for unilateral actions or excluding arrangements. We have not been working together because multilateral institutions have lost their credibility.”

In the Brazilian President’s perspective, breaking this vicious cycle requires courage to change and dedication to overcome differences. “Our response capacity is particularly impaired by the lack of representativeness that affects international organizations. If the wealthy countries wish to have the support of the developing world to address the multiple crises of our time, the Global South must be fully represented in the main decision-making forums,” continued the president. He stated that Brazil is considering submitting a proposal to convene a Review Conference of the UN Charter. “Each country may have its own vision regarding the ideal model for reforming the global governance system. However, we must all agree that the reform is fundamental and urgent.”

FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE – Lula advocated that the financial architecture's strong regressive character must be eliminated so as to reduce the suffering of the developing countries. He reiterated that the interest rates imposed on these nations are too high. “Developing countries face disproportionate costs and difficulties for obtaining funding when compared to the rich countries. The interest rates imposed upon the Global South countries are much higher than those applied to developed nations are. The level of debt that severely affects some developing countries strangles any investment in infrastructure, well-being, and sustainability,” Lula pointed out.

SUPER-RICH –For the Brazilian President, taxating the super-rich must be a part of the solution to this issue. “Taxating the super-rich is a way to combat inequality and direct resources to development priorities and climate action. The UN and its Secretary-General must once again occupy a central role in the discussions about economic and financial issues of global relevance,” he declared. “When the IMF and the World Bank were created, their executive boards had 12 seats for a universe of 44 countries. Today, there are 25 seats for over 193 countries. If the original proportions had been kept, these boards should now have at least 52 seats,” exemplified Lula.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE – Another element highlighted in his speech was the need to rethink the international trade system. “Nobody remembers the Doha Development Round anymore. The WTO (World Trade Organization) is currently paralyzed due to geopolitical and economic interests,” stated Lula.

MORE ACTION – In ending his address, Lula urged the G20 countries to move from discourse into action. “Criticizing without taking action is a sterile exercise that ends in discouragement. But admitting that there are fissures to be repaired is the first step into building something better,” he advised. “Each day we go by with an archaic and excluding structure is a day lost in the quest for solutions for the grave crises that afflict humanity. I am certain that everyone here is committed to the future of the United Nations and will work with dedication in favor of a ‘Just World and a Sustainable Planet’, as the motto of our G20 Presidency states. You can count on Brazil to promote a renewed a reinvigorated multilateral system,” concluded the Brazilian President.