RIO DE JANEIRO. The G20 summit concluded with a declaration urging an end to global hostilities, including in the Middle East and Ukraine, while calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and comprehensive global reforms. However, the final statement, endorsed by most members, lacked specific details, raising concerns about its effectiveness in addressing pressing global issues.
A Call for Peace Amid Escalating Crises
Leaders at the summit expressed deep concern over ongoing wars, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine, underscoring the dire humanitarian consequences. “Affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination, we reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution where Israel and a Palestinian State live side by side in peace,” the declaration stated.
The document emphasized the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza” without directly addressing Israeli casualties or the fate of hostages held by Hamas. This omission drew criticism, especially given U.S. President Joe Biden’s consistent stance that “Hamas is solely to blame for the war.” Biden also stressed the importance of bolstering international pressure on Hamas to accept a ceasefire.
In Ukraine, the declaration highlighted the human suffering caused by the conflict while refraining from naming Russia as the aggressor. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend, so Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was sent instead.
Push for Taxing Billionaires and U.N. Reform
The declaration proposed transformative reforms to the United Nations Security Council to reflect 21st-century realities, including calls for broader representation from underrepresented regions such as Africa and Latin America. While supported in principle, no concrete timeline or structure for these reforms was agreed upon.
A proposal to tax global billionaires, affecting around 3,000 individuals worldwide, was also included. Despite opposition from Argentina and other nations, the clause aligned with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s push to address global inequality.
Global Hunger in Focus
One of the summit’s key initiatives was Lula’s launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The plan, backed by 82 nations and major organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation, aims to tackle rising global hunger. According to U.N. data, a symbolic demonstration on Rio’s Copacabana Beach featured 733 empty plates, representing the 733 million people who faced hunger in 2023.
Critics Demand Action Over Words
While the declaration addressed numerous global crises, experts noted its lack of actionable measures. “It is very much a declaration of goodwill… but we have very few concrete, tangible measures,” said an international relations expert Paulo Velasco.
The G20’s outcomes reflect a balancing act between aspirations for global unity and the realities of geopolitical divisions, leaving much work to be done to translate its commitments into meaningful action.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
