Will Make Inequality Core Issue Of G20 Under Our Presidency: Brazil President

President of Brazil Lula da Silva Monday said next year's G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro will focus on the issue of “inequality” and hoped that the Russia-Ukraine war will end by then.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday suggested that the next G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro will focus on inequality, adding that “there's a lot of inequality in the world”. He also said that by the time his country, which the next G20 President, holds the next Leaders’ Summit the Russia-Ukraine war will come to and end and that Ukrainians will be able to return to their homes. 

"Under our presidency next year we will make inequality the core issue of G20. There’s a lot of inequality in the world," the Brazilian President said at a press conference before his departure from New Delhi. 

He also said, "We don’t have to convince the rich (on equality). Who makes the money when there is growth in GDP? We need to start sharing the money. We cannot have children begging in traffic lights for food. We cannot have shortage in food It’s very simple.” 

"Brazilian presidency of the G 20 has three priorities - First, social inclusion and fight against hunger. Second, energy transition and sustainable development in its three aspects...Third, the reform of global governance institutions. All these priorities are part of the Brazilian presidency motto which says 'Building a fair world and a sustainable planet'. Two task forces will be created - Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty & the Global Mobilisation against Climate Change," he added.

The Brazilian President, who returned to power in Brazil in October 2022 by defeating former President far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, also lauded the fact that the African Union (AU) has been added as a G20 member.

He said the Africans will understand the meaning of inequality as they have suffered it the most. He also said that the AU will be making “significant contribution” in the grouping. 

‘Hope Russia-Ukraine War Will End By 2024’

The Brazilian President hoped that by the time the next Leaders' Summit of the G20 takes place, the Russia-Ukraine war will be over and Ukrainians will be able to go back to their homes.

“We hope there will be no war by next year when the next G20 Leaders’ Summit takes place and Ukrainians will be going back home. I hope we will have normal times back again so that we can start discussing the reconstruction of Ukraine,” he said. 

He also said during his presidency of the G20, Brazil would invite both China and Russia as India did and both will attend the Summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the Summit that was held in New Delhi for reasons unknown. He became the first Chinese leader to skip the Summit and sent his Premier instead. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not come because of the war.

G20 New Delhi Summit ‘Well Done’

Lula also congratulated India for a “well done” G20 Summit. In a post on X, he said, "I want to congratulate India on a well done G20 Summit. Brazil is capable of hosting an event of this size. Let's have more debates and a popular G20 so that society can participate."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday handed over the G20 presidency gavel to Lula as the G20 Summit under India’s Presidency came to an end. Now, the next Troika will be India, Brazil and South Africa. 

However, it is important to note that the handing over is symbolic as India is still the president till November 2023. The formal takeover of the presidency will take place in December this year.

Presently, India holds the G20 presidency. To assume the presidency, a country needs to be supported by two other nations -- one that held the presidency the previous year and one that will assume the presidency the following year. Together, this is called the "Troika".