Government leaders and heads of state of the G20 group promised this Tuesday to join forces in favor of a “global mobilization against climate change.”

“Recognizing that the totality of our efforts will be more powerful than the sum of their parts, we will cooperate and join forces for a global mobilization against climate change,” reads the final statement of the group of the world’s 20 largest economies. in which this year Portugal participates at the invitation of Brazil.

In the final declaration, which was only expected for this Tuesday afternoon, the last day of the summit held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, the leaders are “determined to lead ambitious, timely and structural actions in our national and in the international financial system with the aim of accelerating and expanding climate action.”

“We recognize that the crises we face do not affect the world equally, disproportionately burdening the poorest and those already in vulnerable situations,” they noted.

The statement also mentions that countries will encourage each other towards the goal of “net zero GHG emissions/climate neutrality taking into account the Paris Agreement”, but also “different national circumstances, paths and approaches”.

The different nomenclature “national circumstances, pathways and approaches” was also used in relation to the need for “deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aligned with pathways to limit global warming to 1.5°C.” ”.

The document also refers to the importance of “intensifying” efforts to sustainably protect and conserve forests and calls for greater commitment to the fight against deforestation.

In this sense, the leaders asked that the challenges of local communities and indigenous peoples be taken into account and committed to mobilizing “new and additional funds for forests”, for which, they stated, they “took note” of the plans creation of the Tropical Forest Financing Fund (TFFF).

The fund is a proposal by Brazil to compensate low- and middle-income countries for the conservation of their forests, which will be launched by the South American country at the climate summit to be held in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belém (COP30).

The leaders’ declaration was only expected at the end of the summit, which will take place this Tuesday with the last plenary session on energy transition and sustainable development.

Among the main leaders present, the outgoing president of the United States, Joe Biden, and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, stand out.

The main absentee will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, represented by his head of diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Putin for war crimes in the Ukraine conflict.

In addition to the representatives of the full member countries of the group, plus the European Union and the African Union, in Rio de Janeiro there are representatives of 55 countries or international organizations, among them Portugal – a country invited by Brazil -, represented by the first minister, Luís Montenegro, Angola, represented by its President, João Lourenço, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

The G20 is made up of the world’s main economies. Brazil’s presidency ends at the end of the month, moving to South Africa in December.

Xi announces improvements to the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and more support for the Global South

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his support for developing countries at the G20 summit on Tuesday, including promoting a “high-quality” “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Beijing’s strategic infrastructure plan.

“China has always been a member of the Global South and a reliable and long-lasting partner for developing countries,” Xi stressed during a speech at the summit, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, in remarks broadcast by Chinese state television CCTV. .

Xi, who frequently uses these international forums to promote Chinese leadership among developing countries, announced a series of initiatives, including promoting a high-quality “three-dimensional” “network of ties,” including a “Silk Road.” ” ecological and digital. , within the framework of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.

The key project of the Xi administration, which is not exempt from controversy due to the debt it implies for the beneficiary countries, reached an important milestone last week with the inauguration, in Peru, of the port of Chancay, promoted as a “starting point for a new corridor” between Asia and Latin America.

The infrastructure will give Brazil, for example, access to the Pacific Ocean, reducing the time and cost of trade with Asia, the most important destination for Brazilian exports.

Xi Jinping also said that the country will create a Research Center for the Global South, to increase cooperation in sectors such as food security, and that it will work with African countries to follow up on the commitments made at the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. . (Focac), which took place in September in Beijing.

China has pledged $50.7 billion (€47.9 billion) to finance the development of the African continent over the next three years.

Xi expressed support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, launched on Monday at the opening session of the G20 summit.

The Chinese leader also indicated that, together with Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, Beijing will promote the “International Scientific Cooperation Initiative”, as well as exchanges with the Global South in areas such as digitalization, education and the fight against corruption, without providing more details.

Xi also defended free trade and proposed reducing customs duties for less developed countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China, a speech he has encouraged after Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the United States.

The G20 bloc is made up of Germany, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, United States, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and the United States. United Kingdom, European Union and African Union.