G20 Negotiations in Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's President Focuses on Social Inequality and Climate Change

Jakarta, INTI - On November 12, 2024, the Sherpas of G20 member countries gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the beginning of an important round of negotiations as part of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration process. This meeting represents the final stage of negotiations for the 2024 Brazilian Presidency. As part of the Indonesian delegation, the Deputy for International Economic Cooperation Coordination at Indonesia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Edi Pambudi, who also serves as the Indonesian G20 Sherpa, led the discussions.

The overarching theme of Brazil's 2024 G20 presidency is "Building a Just World and Sustainable Planet," with three key priorities: Addressing Social Inequality, Promoting Social Inclusion and Hunger Eradication, and Tackling Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Sustainable Development. Social and economic inequality, along with climate change, are the central issues being highlighted in these negotiations, as both are highly relevant to the challenges faced by developing countries globally.

Edi Pambudi remarked that this Sherpa meeting, held in November, had proven to be a particularly challenging one. "Brazil has effectively worked to voice the pressing needs of the G20 forum in favor of developing nations, which are facing significant global uncertainty," he stated. However, the hard work carried out during Indonesia's presidency in 2022, which helped to maintain unity within the G20, has shown results, as G20 member countries managed to reach consensus at the Working Group level on several key issues.

During the four Sherpa meetings that have been held throughout the Brazilian presidency, intensive discussions have taken place on various priority issues, such as global inequality, sustainable energy transition, and global governance reform. Focus on social inequality and hunger eradication, which are part of Brazil's major agenda, is expected to yield concrete policies that will directly impact global populations, particularly those in developing nations.

Contribution of Emerging Economies in the G20 Forum

Before the fourth Sherpa meeting, on November 11, 2024, a Sherpa Meeting for the Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) group was held. This forum aimed to create a balance between developed and developing countries in G20 discussions. Brazil's presidency has appreciated the support given by the emerging economies, which has enabled the forum to produce concrete achievements that accommodate the interests of developing nations.

Delegates from G20 member countries continue to work towards agreeing on various outcomes to be included in the G20 Leaders' Declaration. The discussions taking place in Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro are expected to result in agreements that reflect a joint commitment to addressing the critical challenges facing the world, from social inequality to the escalating climate crisis.

The meeting, which runs until November 15, is expected to produce statements that will be agreed upon by G20 leaders during the upcoming G20 Summit on November 18-19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro. This summit will be an important moment for G20 countries to demonstrate their global leadership in tackling the world’s most pressing issues.

The Need for Global Governance Reform

In addition to the two main issues mentioned, discussions around global governance reform have also been a key topic at this Sherpa meeting. Developing countries, including Indonesia, have emphasized the importance of reforming international organizations to better reflect current geopolitical and economic realities. These reforms are intended to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of global institutions in addressing issues like social inequality, climate change, and political instability.

According to World Bank data, global economic inequality has significantly increased over the past two decades. While developing countries have shown rapid economic growth, they still face significant challenges in reducing poverty and improving the living standards of their populations. The G20, as a forum that includes both developed and developing countries, plays a strategic role in finding solutions to this inequality.

Indonesia’s Support for Brazil's G20 Agenda

Indonesia, which hosted the G20 summit in 2022, continues to provide full support for the agenda brought forth by Brazil's presidency. Edi Pambudi, leading the Indonesian delegation, explained that Indonesia’s 2022 G20 presidency laid a strong foundation for continuing international cooperation in facing global uncertainties. Through this cooperation, Indonesia is committed to strengthening the position of developing countries in international forums and ensuring that their voices are heard in every decision made.

Expectations from the G20 Meeting in Rio de Janeiro

Looking at the developments in the ongoing negotiations, Indonesia hopes that the outcomes of the Sherpa meeting will lead to concrete decisions that benefit not only the G20 countries but also the global population, especially those in developing nations. In the face of growing global uncertainty, the G20 must become a driving force in finding tangible solutions to global issues.

The agreements to be included in the G20 Leaders' Declaration are expected to be a major step forward in achieving a more just and sustainable world. The upcoming G20 Summit on November 18-19 will serve as a key moment to assess how the world’s major economies can collaborate to tackle global challenges.