Brazil's G20 Presidency will focus on tangible results on UNSC reforms, climate action

By Huma Siddiqui

Ahead of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18-19, Brazil’s Ambassador to India Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega shared an ambitious blueprint for Brazil’s presidency, with social inclusion, climate action, and global governance reform at its core. “India achieved a significant result by finding consensus on a summit declaration last year, paving the way for Brazil to negotiate a call for action on global governance reform,” said the Brazilian envoy while alluding to the 2023 New Delhi Declaration. He was speaking at a webinar organized by Centre for Global India Insights, a think tank focused on global affairs, on the upcoming G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The online discussion, titled “From Delhi to Rio: What to Expect at G20 summit,” was moderated by Manish Chand, Founder-CEO of CGII and Editor, “India’s G20 Legacy: Shaping a New World Order.” Eminent diplomats, academics and journalists participated in the conference. While expressing optimism about the maturing consensus for reforms, the envoy maintained a cautious tone. “We are perhaps in a better situation now than two years ago,” he observed, attributing this progress to the evolving acknowledgment among G20 members of the need for institutional changes. However, he cautioned against overpromising or creating unrealistic expectations, emphasizing the importance of a pragmatic approach.

The ambassador also highlighted Brazil’s intention to ensure that reforms are not just discussed but implemented. “Beyond discussion, we need implementation,” he stressed, signalling Brazil’s commitment to achieving tangible outcomes under its G20 presidency. Terming Brazil’s G20 presidency as potentially transformational for the Global South, Mr Chand said that the Rio summit will be a unique moment as this will be the third consecutive year in which a major country from the Global South will be hosting the G20 summit. On the issue of UNSC reforms, he stressed on moving beyond rhetorical declarations to concrete action. Ambassador Nobrega commended India’s G20 leadership during its G20 presidency, highlighting its success in finalizing the summit declaration despite geopolitical challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war. Brazil’s G20 priorities are about bringing tangible results for real people, said the envoy. The envoy explained how Brazil aims to build on India’s success, with a sharper focus on issues that resonate with people globally: reducing hunger, transitioning to sustainable energy, and creating a fairer global governance model.

Outlining Brazil’s plans, Mr. Nobrega highlighted three groundbreaking initiatives. First on the list is the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, launched this July, which unites developed and developing nations in a shared mission to combat poverty. “The alliance serves as a three-pillar platform,” he explained, “supporting national programs, fostering international cooperation, and attracting financial resources.” It’s a move he sees as essential for empowering nations like Brazil, India, and others to tackle poverty head-on while fostering solidarity. Then there’s the Global Task Force on Climate Action, approved in October, which embodies Brazil’s commitment to the climate fight. With two main pillars—Resetting Action and Resetting Finance—the task force is designed to help nations create and fund long-term ecological transition plans. Mr. Nobrega highlighted that the approach isn’t just about immediate action, but also about building a sustainable foundation for the future, ensuring developing countries are equipped financially and strategically for climate resilience.

India’s Legacy

Reflecting on India’s presidency, Mr. Nobrega applauded India’s success in bringing the African Union into the G20 fold, describing it as a powerful gesture of inclusivity. “We’re taking that inclusivity further,” he said, noting Brazil’s first-ever G20 foreign ministers’ meeting at the UN headquarters, open to all UN members. According to Nobrega, this step was designed to boost the legitimacy of the G20 and make it more responsive to global needs. Another innovation is Brazil’s creation of the G20 Social Engagement Group, aimed at giving a platform to civil society and social movements, enriching the summit’s final outcomes with insights from communities on the ground.

From Poverty to Climate Action

Mr. Nobrega emphasized the G20’s unique ability to harmonize the goals of both developed and developing countries. Brazil, he said, is committed to ensuring that the voices of the Global South are not overshadowed by the priorities of the developed world. He explained that Brazil’s efforts, especially in the alliances against poverty and climate change, are strategically designed to address the needs of all G20 members, underscoring Brazil’s ambition to connect agendas and find consensus on pressing global issues. “At the G20,” he said, “it’s not just about talking; it’s about achieving results that matter.”

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