Successes and debacles for Lula. How the G20 is going in Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Ina’cio Lula da Silva welcomed on Sunday, as president of the Group of the world’s largest economies, the heads of state and government of the G20 for the two-day summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian presidency had indicated three priorities to be discussed: the fight against hunger, the transition towards renewable energy and the reform of international institutions but the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as Donald Trump’s recent victory in the American presidential elections, undoubtedly weighed on the work on the agenda, as observers had widely predicted. At the end of Monday’s meetings, the media highlighted the main points discussed by the leaders as well as the successes achieved by the current presidency and the ‘issues’ that remain on the table despite Brazilian efforts.

Climate, no progress

The expectations cultivated by many on the possibility that the G20 would be able to break the deadlock in climate negotiations recorded in Baku during the recent COP 29 were soon dashed. The leaders’ final statement generally acknowledges “the need to increase climate finance” up to “trillions of dollars from all sources” but without specifying who should contribute most to supporting actions to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change. In their statement the leaders, observers highlight, also took a substantial step backwards on the green transition given that the commitment for “a just, orderly and equitable transition from fossil fuels in energy systems” is not mentioned, which was instead obtained in the latest COP in Dubai, last year.

For Ukraine, a “just and lasting” peace

The war in Ukraine, in the wake of the White House’s green light for the use of long-range missiles in Kiev, was the most discussed topic of the day. In this regard, the leaders declared that they “welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives in favor of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” recalling also the principles of the United Nations Charter “for the promotion of peaceful, friendly and of good neighborliness among nations”. What is perplexing, however, is the fact that this time too we preferred to overlook the thorny question of responsibility. The statement generally denounces “the threat or use of force” to gain territorial advantagebut does not explicitly mention (as had happened in New Delhi) the Russian “aggression” that triggered the war. Even in this chapter, in short, the compromise reached remains downwards.

Middle East, yes to the ‘ceasefire’

On the need to suspend the clashes in Gaza and Lebanon as soon as possible, the G20 leaders instead declared themselves “united”. “In expressing our deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation in Lebanon, we underline the urgent need to extend the flow of humanitarian assistance and strengthen the protection of civilians“, we read in the final statement. – In line with Lula’s proposal, taxes on the super rich: For several economists and NGOs, the G20 has made giant strides on the so-called “global minimum tax”, the idea proposed by Brazilian presidency ended up on the agenda of the Summit which aims to tax the super Scrooges of the Planet (according to data, around 3 thousand multi-billionaires in the world).

A 2% tax on super incomes, according to the Brazilian proposal, could even bring in revenue of 250 billion dollars a year. And on this idea, the leaders said they were ready to cooperate: “With full respect for fiscal sovereignty, we will seek to engage in a cooperative manner to ensure that very wealthy people are effectively taxed“, we read in the final declaration. A great victory for Lula.

Alliance Against Global Hunger

This was also one of the most important points of the Brazilian presidency of the G20. And even on this front, observers underline, President Lula can say he is satisfied because 82 countries have joined his initiative of a global alliance against hunger and poverty that works for a more equal world. The goal is to be able to alleviate the conditions of extreme hunger of around half a billion people by 2030. The fact that the fight has been shared by the G20 and other nations effectively gives an international dimension to the crusade against hunger and the inequalities that afflict the Planet.