United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ message at the G20 Summit, which took place on November 18-19, 2024, was notable for its call for leadership to address the multidimensional crises facing the global system. In Guterres’ words, G20 countries should stand out not only for their economic and diplomatic power, but also for their primary responsibility in finding solutions to global problems.[1]
The Secretary-General emphasized the need for a faster and more effective approach to tackle key global challenges such as the climate crisis, conflicts, impunity, inequality, hunger and poverty. In this regard, the economic and environmental challenges faced by developing countries and the West-centric and unfair structure of the current international financial system were criticized. In particular, the inadequacy of this system’s capacity to respond to the needs of developing countries draws attention to the growing demands of the Global South.[2]
Guterres’ call for concrete and ambitious financing targets to address the climate crisis demonstrates once again the central role of low politics on the international agenda. Issues such as climate change, inequalities and access to technology are not just problems for governments; they are critical areas for the international community to regain legitimacy. The demands of the Global South and the issues of low politics are among the key elements that will determine the success of this leadership. The Summit has the potential to be a critical turning point not only for addressing current challenges, but also for restoring the credibility and sustainability of the global system.
In parallel with Guterres, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the G20 should assume a leadership role in a time of transformation and presented a vision titled “Building a Just World of Shared Development”. The themes of Xi’s speech centered on accelerating the development of developing countries, bridging the North-South divide and addressing inequalities in the international system.[3]
Xi laid out his country’s global leadership ambitions and proposed concrete strategies to achieve these goals. In this context, making the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) more inclusive, increasing development support to the countries of the Global South and deepening cooperation with Africa were among China’s priorities. In addition, China’s success in lifting 800 million people out of poverty was presented as a model for developing countries, and sharing this experience with other countries would contribute to global poverty reduction efforts. These approaches offer a vision that prioritizes economic development, environmental protection, digital transformation and multilateralism, in line with the G20 theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”. The eight concrete action plans put forward by President Xi provide important clues on how to make this transformation tangible:[4]
1. Sustaining BRI with High Quality Collaboration
China aims to transform the BRI into a multidimensional network of connectivity to promote green development and strengthen digitalization. In particular, infrastructure development and the integration of the digital economy aim to enhance global economic cooperation.
2. Implementation of the Global Development Initiative
Ensuring the functionality of the Global South Research Center and developing concrete cooperation projects for developing countries in areas such as poverty alleviation, food security and the digital economy are among the priorities on China’s international development agenda.
3. Supporting African Development
The ten partnership actions announced at the Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit held in Beijing on September 4-6, 2024 demonstrate China’s determination to deepen strategic partnership relations with the continent by providing financial support to Africa’s modernization efforts.
4. Strengthening International Cooperation on Poverty Reduction and Food Security
China’s support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is seen as a step towards taking a leadership role in this area. In addition, China’s commitment to ensure the continuity of the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting and to host the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste underscores the importance China attaches to these issues.
5. Initiative for International Cooperation in Open Science
China, together with Brazil, the Republic of South Africa and the African Union, has proposed the Open Science Initiative to increase the Global South’s access to advances in science, technology and innovation. This initiative aims to engage developing countries in global scientific endeavors.
6. Promoting Practical Cooperation Mechanisms for the Global South
Support for the Beijing-based G20 Economies Entrepreneurship Research Centre and cooperation on digital education and digitization of museums and archives reflect China’s willingness to promote sustainable development in cultural and technological fields.
7. Anti-Corruption and Security Policies
Within the framework of the G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan, China’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with developing countries on issues such as extradition of fugitives, asset recovery and enhancing anti-corruption capacity are critical to building international security.
8. Opening-up Policies for Least Developed Countries
China has decided to apply zero-tariff trade treatment to less developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, demonstrating its aim to deepen trade and development cooperation. This policy is seen as a concrete step towards reducing economic disparities and increasing trade integration.
The Summit focused on the Alliance Against Global Hunger and tackling critical challenges such as hunger and climate change, in light of rising geopolitical tensions and the unexpected return of Donald Trump to the US Presidency. The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, opened the summit with a speech emphasizing that hunger is an existential threat to humanity, calling it a stain on humanity. Bringing together more than 80 countries, multinational banks and charitable organizations, the Government of Brazil stated that hunger and poverty are problems that are not only linked to famine but also to political decisions.[5]
With the Covid-19 pandemic pushing nearly 150 million people worldwide to the brink of starvation, G20 leaders are trying to find solutions to the food security problems caused by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition to addressing this problem, Lula aims to promote various mechanisms to finance social programs to address malnutrition.[6] In the same regard, the leaders addressed the food crisis in Gaza, expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories, highlighted the tensions in Lebanon and called for a ceasefire that would allow citizens on both sides to return safely to their homes.[7]
This year’s summit reflected the high stakes in international diplomacy as well as leaders’ efforts to connect pressing local issues with the needs of the global community. International taxation, climate reform, and aid to war-torn regions took center stage at the summit, particularly as the G20 has undergone changes under the Donald Trump administration. Trump’s re-election has led to proposals for fundamental changes in economic policies, especially in the context of negotiations and possible trade wars centered on Russia and Ukraine. Trump’s skeptical approach to multilateral engagement risks weakening efforts on issues such as climate change and global poverty.[8]
The Summit reflected Brazilian President Lula’s hope to restore multilateral cooperation. G20 delegates also engaged in an important dialogue on relations between their countries and on developing solutions to common goals at the global level. Tax reforms for rich countries and reparations for the Global South were among the key topics of discussion at the summit. The discussions on green energy transitions and climate policy were shaped by Brazil’s vision, which is in opposition to the policies pursued by the Trump administration.
At the summit, former US President Joe Biden pledged a $50 million contribution to the Amazon Fund and supported his country’s environmental protection efforts. In addition, the war crises in Ukraine and Palestine were heavily felt at the summit. With the prolongation of the war, the Biden administration increased military support to Ukraine and approved the procurement of long-range missile systems. The fact that Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the summit instead of President Vladimir Putin reveals that diplomatic tensions were brought to the summit and the power struggle in international relations continued. In addition, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, concerned about relations with China, called for a more cautious approach to security risks arising from Chinese investments.[9]
On the sidelines of the meeting, Starmer held a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This was the first direct contact between the British leader and the Chinese President since 2018. The main objective of the meeting was to emphasize the importance of strengthening UK-China relations and to reinforce cooperation between the two countries. Starmer stated that the cooperation with China should be in line with the UK’s national interests and that the relations will be maintained in a stable and respectful manner. He also said that surprise developments in bilateral relations should be avoided and proposed a more comprehensive meeting between the leaders of both countries. Xi, on the other hand, said that the two countries should share the responsibility of dealing with global challenges and emphasized that their strategic partnership should be developed based on mutual respect, openness and the win-win principle. This development at the G20 Summit is considered as an important step towards the restoration of high-level diplomatic relations between the UK and China.[10]
The G20 Summit on November 18-19, 2024 highlights the efforts of global leaders to tackle multi-layered crises and the demands of the Global South. Guterres’ call emphasizes the need to lead not only with economic and diplomatic power, but also with an understanding of fair and effective global governance. The climate crisis, inequalities, poverty and poverty alleviation issues highlighted by Guterres make clear the increasing demands of the Global South on the existing international system and the need for a more inclusive approach to meet these demands.
Xi’s vision emphasizes the need to strengthen cooperation with developing countries and narrow the North-South divide, in line with the G20 theme “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”. China’s concrete steps to increase development support to developing countries are an important contribution to addressing inequalities in the global economy. In this context, major projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative will deepen global integration and promote sustainable development.
Lula’s emphasis on hunger and poverty throughout the summit underscored the need for the G20 to take a leadership role in developing long-term solutions to the global hunger crisis. Themes such as strengthening international cooperation, tax reforms and environmental justice dominated the summit and are key elements that will shape future global governance processes.
In conclusion, the G20 Summit demonstrated that global leaders have a great responsibility to adopt a more equitable approach to the demands of developing countries. This summit not only called for an economic restructuring, but is considered a major step towards achieving global justice and promoting sustainable development. The future of the Global South will be shaped by a transformation based on strengthening such multilateral cooperation and meeting the needs of developing countries.
[1] “Ahead of G20 Summit in Brazil, Guterres urges bloc to take the lead on peace, climate and other challenges”, United Nations, https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157096, (Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “President Xi Jinping Attends the 19th G20 Summit and Delivers Important Remarks”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs The People’s Republic of China, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202411/t20241119_11528778.html, (Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
[4] Ibid.
[5] “World Leaders Gather At G20 Summit To Tackle Hunger And Climate Challenges”, The Pinnacle Gazette, https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/world-leaders-gather-at-g20-summit-to-tackle-hunger-and-climate-challenges-63377,(Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
[6] Ibid.
[7] “G20 leaders call for ‘comprehensive’ ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon”, Aljazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/19/g20-leaders-call-for-comprehensive-ceasefires-in-gaza-and-lebanon, (Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
[8] “World Leaders Gather At G20 Summit To Tackle Hunger And Climate Challenges”, The Pinnacle Gazette, https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/world-leaders-gather-at-g20-summit-to-tackle-hunger-and-climate-challenges-63377,(Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
[9] Ibid.
[10] “UK seeks ‘consistent, durable, respectful’ ties with China at G20 summit”, Anadolu Agency, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/uk-seeks-consistent-durable-respectful-ties-with-china-at-g20-summit/3396670, (Date of Access: 19.11.2024).
