Brazil assumed the presidency of G20 from India on 1st December 2023. This announcement was made during the 18th G20 Summit 2023 held in India. More than 100 working meetings and task forces are part of the G20 which will be held in the host cities of the five regions of Brazil both virtually and face-to-face at technical and ministerial levels. There will be 12 engagement groups for a Social Summit which will take place from November 15-17, before the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 18-19 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brazilian government established the priority issues:
The fight against hunger, poverty and inequality
The three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental)
The reform of global governance
The first cycle of G20 Brazil meetings was conducted from 11-15th December 2023 in Brasilia. The proposals for the Brazilian presidency of G20 were analysed by the Sherpas from various countries. Alongside the G20 member countries, 8 guest countries were invited by the Brazilian presidency which comprise of Angola, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal and Singapore. India’s Sherpa, Mr. Amitabh Kant expressed the need for adopting a path towards the use of renewable energy, clean fuels, and biofuels.
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) was held on 21-22 February 2024 in Rio de Janeiro under the G20 presidency of Brazil. The Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. V. Muraleedharan participated in the meeting chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr. Mauro Vieira. FMM session held on 21st February underlined the G20’s role in dealing with the on-going international tensions. The MoS reiterated the determined support of India to Brazil’s G20 presidency. He called for an inclusive and action-oriented response to the complex global challenges which have an unlevelled impact on the Global South. FMM session held on 22nd February underlined the Global Governance Reform. At the session, the MoS drew attention towards reforming the working methods of the key global institutions in order to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges. Recalling the consensus on creating a representative Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD), Mr. Muraleedharan called to accelerate the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action through enhanced financial flows.
The 3rd G20 Sherpa’s Meeting was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3rd-5th July 2024. This ground-breaking session was coordinated by the Brazilian Ambassador and Sherpa Mauricio Lyrio from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). Mr. Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa of India, led the Indian delegation to the meeting where he underlined the need to focus on economic growth, sustainable development, finance, and energy transition. Mr. Kant emphasised the crucial role of the G20 in working towards these goals and supporting the presidency of Brazil in carrying out these initiatives.
The event was a noteworthy joint session between the Sherpas and representatives from the G20 engagement groups. The progress of initiatives under Brazil’s G20 Presidency was discussed by the Sherpas. The primary focus was on the newly created task forces namely, the establishment of a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Mobilization against Climate Change.
Additional Secretary (G20) & Sous-Sherpa of India, Ms. Pooja Kapur & experts participated in a Development Working Group (DWG) side-event on Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Economy with official G20 DWG delegates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 19th July 2024. Mission LiFE intends to replace the ‘use-and-dispose’ economy with a circular economy governed by conscious and deliberate utilization.
Ms. Kapur led the Indian delegation to the 4th DWG meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 20th July 2024 where she strongly advocated taking forth the paramount legacy of India’s G20 Presidency for the global good.
The Development Ministers’ Meeting (DMM) was held in Rio de Janeiro on July 23, 2024. The DMM was chaired by Ambassador Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. The Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Dammu Ravi led the Indian delegation to the G20 Brasil Development Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 22-23rd July. The G20 Ministerial Declaration for reducing inequalities was adopted with full consensus. This was notable as it was the first-ever G20 Ministerial Declaration. The Ministers and the Heads of Delegations of G20 Members also adopted the G20 Ministerial Call to Action on Strengthening Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services. Mr. Dammu reinforced the critical need to fast-track efforts towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and highlighted Mr. Narendra Modi’s path-breaking Mission to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development. He also highlighted India’s flagship schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT, & India’s development cooperation initiatives for the Global South.
