The meeting addressed major global tensions; Russian Foreign minister faced criticism over the war in Ukraine and the death of a dissident in prison

22/02/2024

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Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira speaks during the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 — Foto: Silvia Izquierdo/AP

The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Rio opened with Brazilian Minister Mauro Vieira emphasizing the need for reforms in global governance. In his Wednesday (21) speech, he criticized high military spending worldwide and the stagnation of multilateral organizations, aligning with President Lula’s past administrations’ traditional foreign policy.

The main agenda for the 41 delegations present—21 G20 members and guests—was current international conflicts, particularly the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. As anticipated by diplomats, Russia faced significant scrutiny, with its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov present at the meeting.

Valor sources privy to the closed-door discussions reported that the G7 countries (Germany, Canada, the U.S., France, Italy, Japan, and the UK) were particularly vocal in their criticism. They focused on the Ukrainian war and the death of Alexei Navalny, an opponent of Vladimir Putin, in an Arctic prison.

Other foreign ministers also expressed their concerns about the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, most supported a two-state solution. Argentina, which has prioritized Israel in its foreign policy, also backed the creation of a Palestinian state. However, Foreign Minister Diana Mondino emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense.

On Thursday (22), discussions will shift to potential reforms in organizations like the UN, IMF, and World Bank. These reforms, along with combating hunger and climate change, are key priorities of Brazil’s G20 presidency.

In front of other foreign ministers, Mr. Vieira expressed concern over the annual military expenditure of $2 trillion, contrasting sharply with the meager contributions to humanitarian aid and climate change efforts. He pointed out that funds allocated for social assistance and development are barely $60 billion a year, approximately 3% of what is spent on arms.

“The disbursements for combating climate change under the Paris Agreement are barely $100 billion a year, which is less than 5% of military spending,” stated the Brazilian minister. “I can’t help but feel a lack of concrete action on these issues.”

Mr. Vieira, under the observation of his counterparts, reminded them that the G20 was originally intended to address economic and development issues but has become one of the few forums where countries with differing views can come together. Despite that, he urged for concrete action and critiqued the “unacceptable paralysis” of the UN Security Council regarding global armed conflicts.

Criticizing developed nations, he emphasized that the “Global South” demonstrates greater initiative in peace and cooperation. “The successful cases of peaceful cooperation in Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania suggest that these regions’ voices should be given special care and attention in relevant forums,” he asserted.

Regarding Brazil’s stance on global tensions, Mr. Vieira declared that the country “rejects the pursuit of hegemonies, whether old or new.” He also encouraged fellow G20 members to reaffirm their commitments to the UN, “publicly rejecting the use of force, intimidation, unilateral sanctions, espionage, and mass manipulation of social networks.”

Debates on Brazil’s other G20 presidency priorities, such as fighting hunger and climate change, are slated for future group meetings. Throughout the year, numerous ministerial-level meetings will occur in Brazil, with most in Rio. Next week, São Paulo will host discussions between finance ministers and Central Bank presidents.

The G20 heads of state summit is scheduled for November in Rio. Typically, the G20 issues a joint statement only after the summit, so it’s unlikely there will be an official group statement at the end of today’s meeting. Mr. Vieira is expected to give a statement after the meeting concludes.

Notably absent from Rio are the main diplomatic representatives of two global powers: China and India. However, Brazil has received indications that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the leaders’ summit.

On Wednesday, after more than four hours of meetings at Marina da Glória on Rio’s south side, the ministers went to a dinner at Palácio da Cidade, which is the headquarters of the city hall. The dinner, hosted by Mayor Eduardo Paes, who is championing the slogan “Rio – Capital of the G20,” featured elements of Rio’s local culture. At the Marina da Glória event, a local vendor, known as a “mateiro,” served mate (a traditional South American drink) and Globo cookies—snacks that are iconic to Rio’s beaches—to the attending diplomats and journalists.

*Por Murillo Camarotto, Caio Sartori, Paula Martini — Rio de Janeiro

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/