An initiative created by Brazil, the G20 Social gives citizens a voice in foreign policy, declared the ministers who participated in the opening of the event this Thursday (14). According to the ministers, politicians need to be attentive to society’s demands when formulating decisions with the potential to affect the entire planet.
“The decisions of the G20, if they are not imperative for national states, are guiding for public policies around the world. There are already 33 thousand people accredited in the G20 [Social] that are here, or circulating”, highlighted minister Márcio Macêdo, from the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic and general coordinator of G20 Social.
The secretary general of the Presidency of the Republic, minister Márcio Macedo, says that G20 decisions are guidelines for public policies around the world – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
Macêdo highlighted Brazil’s pioneering spirit in creating a discussion forum for civil society organizations during the country’s presidency of the G20, a group of the 19 largest economies on the planet, plus the European Union and the African Union. For the secretary general of the Presidency, the leaders who make up the group need to be open to voices from the streets, especially from less developed countries.
“If the G20 Social works, these cool people will never do the G20 again without the participation of the people”, highlighted Macêdo. “Today we no longer have developing countries. We have the Global South, like the president [Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva] it says. We need to be part of the debate with the strength of the Global South”, he added.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, highlights the discussion on global governance reform as an innovative aspect of Brazilian management at the G20 – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, highlighted the importance of the G20 Social in articulating the three central themes of Brazil’s presidency of the group. “The three main axes of our G20 presidency are the fight against hunger and poverty and all types of inequality, sustainable development and energy transition and the reform of global governance. There could not be an effective discussion on these topics if there was no dialogue with society”, said the chancellor.
Mauro Vieira also highlighted, as an innovative aspect of Brazilian management at the G20, the discussion on the global governance reform. “This topic was brought up for debate for the first time at the G20,” he stated.
The reform of the global governance system advocates the expansion of the United Nations Security Council to ensure more international representation and increase the council’s interactions with the UN General Assembly.
In September this year, the G20 foreign ministers released a document in which they committed to expanding the council and also strengthening the role of the General Assembly “including in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, through improved interaction and intensified with the Security Council”.
Legacy
G20 Social will leave a legacy for global governance, says minister Margareth Menezes – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
The Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, stated that the G20 Social will leave a legacy for global governance.
“These are historic struggles and flags of the most popular movements. What we are experiencing here is a legacy of transformation, hope and appreciation that Brazil wants to leave to the world with a global governance proposal that recognizes the participation of civil society in decisions that impact lives”, said the minister.
Reception
First to speak at the event, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, also highlighted the importance of government officials who will attend the G20 Summit, next week, accepting the themes raised by the G20 Social participants. According to Paes, this is an opportunity for global politics to connect with citizens.
“The global leaders who will gather here in the coming days govern for the people. So we need to listen to what the people have to say. Listen to what citizens want and need. Rio de Janeiro has its doors open for you and for the world”, said the mayor at the beginning of the ceremony, which started 40 minutes late.
Created during the Brazilian presidency of the group, the G20 Social, which brings together entities, organizations and academics, will present suggestions that will support discussions during the summit meeting, which will take place next Monday and Tuesday (18th and 19th) in Rio de Janeiro .
