G20 leaders’ meeting kicks off in Rio de Janeiro
Starting Monday (Nov. 18), global attention will turn to Rio de Janeiro as the G20 Leaders' Summit kicks off. The summit, which brings together the 19 largest economies alongside the European Union and the African Union, will see Brazil hand over the group's presidency to South Africa.
A total of 19 heads of state and government will gather to discuss a consensus document reflecting the three key priorities of Brazil's G20 presidency over the past year. The only leader absent is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The first axis of Brazil's G20 presidency focuses on the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality. The second includes promoting sustainable development, tackling climate change and advancing the energy transition. The third axis is reforming global governance to resolve conflicts.
In the economic sphere, Brazil's key initiative is the global taxation of the super-rich, aimed at financing efforts to reduce inequality and address climate change. Inspired by the ideas of French economist Gabriel Zucman, the proposal calls for a minimum tax of 2 percent on the income of the world's billionaires. This measure could generate between $200 billion and $250 billion annually, though it is expected to provoke divisions among countries.
Although the proposal has garnered support from several countries, it faces opposition from some developed nations, including the United States and Germany, as well as from Argentina. Supporters include France, Spain, Colombia, Belgium, and South Africa, which will assume the rotating presidency of the bloc after Brazil. The African Union has also expressed its backing since the proposal was first presented in February.
The Brazilian presidency of the G20 convened the G20 Social Summit from Thursday (14) to Saturday (16), gathering input from civil society. This Brazilian-led initiative brought together social organizations, academics, and other entities to draft a document to be included in the summit's final communiqué.
Program
On the first day of the summit, leaders will be welcomed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva. The agenda includes the launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. In the afternoon, discussions will focus on reforming global governance, followed by an official dinner in the evening hosted by Lula and the First Lady for presidents and prime ministers.
On Tuesday (19), the program will start with a morning session on sustainable development and energy transitions. In the afternoon, the closing session will take place, featuring the formal handover of the G20 presidency to South Africa. Following the ceremony, an official lunch will be held, accompanied by a series of bilateral meetings among heads of state and government.
The two days of debates will be held at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in Rio de Janeiro. To ensure security, significant portions of the city will be restricted, with access limited for both pedestrians and vehicles.
