The Brazilian leader reiterated the strategic agenda of Global South countries this year at the forum that brings together the world's largest economies. Lula addressed the similarity between the climate tragedy in Southern Brasil and the floods that have hit African countries, both claiming thousands of victims.
Brasil, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania-all places that are all very distant from each other, but are facing similar tragedies involving deaths and destruction caused by floods and climate change. The topic-one of the priorities of Brasil's G20 presidency-was addressed by President Lula on Thursday (23), in Brasilia, during a meeting with the President of Benin, Patrice Talon.
"Although we are not historically responsible for climate change, we must fight alongside each other for the expansion of climate finance targets at the Baku COP, and for the adoption of more ambitious NDCs at the Belém COP in 2025," highlighted Lula.
In addition to climate change, President Lula also addressed the other priorities of Brasil's G20 presidency, reiterating the Global South countries' strategic agenda that is to be discussed at the forum of the world's largest economies this year.
"Alongside the African Union-who is participating as a full member for the first time-we have been warning about the debt issue. What we are seeing today is an absurd net export of resources from the poorest countries to the richest countries," stressed the president of Brasil. "It is impossible to invest in education, health or adaptation to climate change if a significant part of the budget is consumed by paying these debts," he said.
The President reported that the G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group (IFA) is going to promote a debate with African experts in June-the results of which will be taken to the subsequent G20 Finance Ministers meeting. Lula also mentioned the proposal to tax billionaires presented by minister Fernando Haddad at a meeting of the G20 Finance Track in January, in São Paulo.
"If the planet's 3,000 billionaires paid 2% taxes on their fortunes' revenues, we would be able to generate enough resources to feed the 340 million people who, according to the FAO [UN Food and Agriculture Organization], are facing severe food insecurity in Africa," said Lula.
The President also observed that many developing countries have already created effective policies to eradicate hunger and poverty-as has Brasil, where the experience of Bolsa Família and other public policies have drawn much global attention. "Our goal at the G20 is to mobilize funds to expand and adapt these policies to other realities. So we are inviting African countries to join our Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, open to membership as of July," he said. The Task Force for the Alliance is meeting in the city of Teresina to draw up accession documents for interested countries.
Reform of multilateral organizations
Brasil's G20 presidency's third priority-global governance reform-was also addressed during the meeting. "International order requires institutions that are capable of responding to contemporary challenges. In September we will hold a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New York-open to all UN members-to launch a 'call to action' for global governance reform," said Lula. "The fact that Latin America and Africa are not permanently represented in important bodies such as the Security Council makes no sense," stressed the president.
