December 1, 2018: Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) agreed on a people-centered, inclusive and forward-looking statement on “Building consensus for fair and sustainable development”. Leaders focused on the future of work, infrastructure for development, a sustainable food future, and a strategy for integrating a gender perspective into the G20 agenda, among other topics.
In the Declaration, G20 leaders reaffirm their commitment to lead the transformation towards sustainable development and to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a framework for advancing this goal and the G20 Action Plan.
On a sustainable food future, G20 leaders reaffirm their commitment to addressing food security and encouraging the voluntary use and exchange of innovative and traditional agricultural practices and technologies. Leaders emphasize the importance of collaboration between public and private actors to facilitate adaptation, strengthen risk management, protect biodiversity, and provide effective responses to reduce the impacts of extreme weather on agriculture. Leaders are also committed to stepping up efforts to improve efficiency, sustainability, productivity and value-added, and to encourage initiatives to reduce food loss and waste.
When it comes to education, G20 leaders recognize access to education as a human right and stress the importance of girls’ education. Leaders are committed to promoting coordination between employment policies and equitable and quality education policies.
With regard to gender, G20 leaders recognize that gender equality is key to economic growth and fair and sustainable development, and note progress in reducing the gender gap in labor force participation at the same time. which state that more needs to be done. Leaders are committed to continuing to promote initiatives to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls and gender-based violence, and to promote women’s economic empowerment and improve working conditions for all, including through access to quality and affordable care infrastructure and parental leave and reduction. the gender pay gap. Leaders are also committed to promoting women’s access to leaders and decision-making, and to increasing their participation in science, technology, engineering, and high-tech math.
A strong economy and a healthy planet are mutually reinforcing.
In terms of infrastructure for development, G20 leaders reaffirm commitment to attract more private capital for infrastructure investment and endorse the Roadmap to infrastructure as an asset class and G20 principles for the preparation phase of the infrastructure project. Leaders are committed to taking action to address data gaps, improve risk mitigation tools, and achieve greater contractual standardization.
On climate change, G20 leaders acknowledge that a solid economy and a healthy planet are “mutually reinforcing” and point to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) latest report on global warming of 1.5 ° C (SR 15). Leaders recognize the importance of comprehensive adaptation strategies and support actions and cooperation in developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable, including small island developing States (SIDS). After discussing low-greenhouse gas (GHG) strategies, sharing country experiences and considering the adaptation work program, leaders expect “satisfactory results” from Katowice Climate Change Conference . The signatories of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change reaffirm their commitment to its full implementation, reflecting common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC). The United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and affirms its commitment to economic growth and access to and security of energy, “using all energy sources and technologies at the same time. that the environment is protected “.
Also in terms of energy, G20 leaders are encouraging energy transitions that combine growth with declining GHG emissions and recognize opportunities for innovation, growth and job creation through greater investment in energy sources. ‘cleaner and more sustainable energy. Leaders further acknowledge the “role of all energy sources and technologies in the combination of energy and different possible national pathways to achieving cleaner energy systems under the term ‘transitions'”. Leaders are also committed to promoting universal access to energy by eradicating energy poverty.
Looking to the future of work, G20 leaders recognize the importance of policy responses and international cooperation to ensure that the benefits of technological change are widely shared. They endorse the menu of policy options for the future of work and express their commitment to consider the individual circumstances of the country to leverage technology to boost growth and productivity, support people during transitions, and address distribution challenges. , ensure sustainable tax systems and ensure evidence-based decisions. doing. Leaders also express their commitment to, Among others: promoting decent work, vocational training and skills development; make social protection systems strong and transportable, subject to national legislation and circumstances; increase the participation in the workforce of underrepresented and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities; implement policies to improve the employment situation of young people, in line with the G20 Antalya Youth Goal; and take action to eradicate child labor, forced labor, human trafficking and modern slavery in the world of work, including through the promotion of sustainable supply chains.
In the statement, leaders also addressed the importance of: mobilizing sustainable finance and strengthening financial inclusion; improve early childhood development to break the cycle of intergenerational and structural poverty and reduce inequalities; implement health-related aspects of the SDGs, including reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), moving towards universal health coverage (CSU), and ending HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; addressing the root causes of displacement and growing humanitarian needs; and preventing and combating corruption and promoting transparency and integrity in the public and private sectors.
G20 leaders met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from November 30 to December 1. Leaders of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the EU participated in the Summit. Leading guests from Chile, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore and Spain participated as guests. [Leaders Declaration] [UN News Story on G20 Meeting] [G20 Argentina 2018 Website]
