Leaders from the world’s largest economies convened in Brazil on November 18-19, 2024, for the G20 summit. Set against the scenic backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, the summit brought together presidents, prime ministers, and officials representing 85% of global economic output. Discussions centered on critical global issues, including hunger eradication, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, marking a significant moment for multilateral diplomacy.
Key Attendees
Notable attendees included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and U.S. President Joe Biden, who made his final appearance as president before stepping down in January 2025. Mexican President Gloria Sheinbaum participated in her first international summit since taking office in October, promoting initiatives on arms reduction and food self-sufficiency.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived early to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The summit also marked the African Union’s (AU) second participation as a member of the G20, reflecting the group’s broader representation since the AU joined in 2023.
Focus on Hunger Eradication
Hunger eradication dominated discussions, aligning with Brazil’s push to launch the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. Lula’s flagship initiative aims to create funding mechanisms and social programs to address global food shortages, a challenge exacerbated by conflicts and climate change. This agenda resonated with many nations, but particularly with developing countries in Africa and Latin America. Lula emphasized the urgency of collective action, stating, “Hunger is a solvable problem if we commit resources and policies that empower the most vulnerable.”
Climate Action: A Divisive Topic
Climate change was another central theme, with Lula urging G20 nations to expedite their climate neutrality targets by 5-10 years, advocating for a 2040-2045 goal rather than the widely accepted 2050 deadline. The G20 leaders’ joint statement reflected this urgency, calling for “rapidly and substantially increasing climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources.” Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden underscored the need for robust financing to help developing nations combat climate change. “History is watching us,” Biden warned. “This is the single greatest existential threat to humanity.” However, climate negotiations were fraught with tension. Lula faced criticism from some European leaders for softening the summit’s language on the Ukraine war to prioritize consensus on climate initiatives. Additionally, debates over the $100 billion annual climate finance commitment—pledged by developed nations in 2009 but never fully realized—underscored lingering disagreements.
Institutional Reforms and New Alliances
Discussions also extended to global institutional reforms. Lula proposed creating a new United Nations council to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The New Development Bank and the League of Arab States participated for the first time, to expand engagement with global multilateral institutions. Additionally, the G20 committed to finalizing a legally binding treaty to reduce plastic pollution by the end of 2024, a long-awaited victory for environmental advocates.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the 2024 APEC Leaders’ Declaration, emphasizing economic growth, sustainable development, and climate action. The document also inaugurated the *Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty*, with over 80 nations joining the initiative, including Russia. South Africa, a BRICS member, will assume the G20 presidency in 2025, continuing the bloc’s focus on inclusive growth and global south representation.
As the summit closed, Lula reminded attendees of their shared responsibilities. “Our collective success depends on our ability to act decisively and collaboratively,” he said. “The challenges we face demand nothing less than unity.” The G20 summit in Brazil reinforced the bloc’s critical role in addressing global challenges, even as divisions remain. Whether its commitments translate into tangible action will define the legacy of this pivotal gathering.
