By Gabisile Ngcobo
Rio de Janeiro - Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced initiatives to support global development and strengthen the Global South as a significant player within the Group of 20 (G20).
Speaking at the G20 Leaders’ Summit on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Xi emphasised that China was committed to fostering a fair world centred on mutual development.
The President commended Brazil’s G20 Presidency for placing fighting hunger and poverty at the top of the agenda and the decision to establish a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
“From Hangzhou to Rio, we have been working for the same goal, that is, to build a just world of common development,” he said.
However, he said to build such a world, leaders needed to channel more resources to such fields as trade, investment and development cooperation, as well as strengthen development institutions.
“There should be more bridges of cooperation, and less ‘small yard, high fences’, so that more and more developing countries will be better off and achieve modernisation.”
He called on the opening, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation and integration in digital, smart and green development to bridge the North-South gap.
President Xi said China was committed to ensuring that the Global South research centre currently under construction is effective.
He emphasised that the US$20 billion allocated for development funds would be utilised effectively to support developing countries and enhance practical cooperation in key areas, including poverty reduction, food security, and the digital economy.
“China has decided to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. We support the G20 in continuing to convene the Development Ministerial Meeting and will stay a committed host of the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste.”
Meanwhile, he announced that China, alongside Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, was proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to help the Global South gain better access to global advances in science, technology and innovation.
“China is pursuing high standard opening up and unilaterally opening our doors wider to the least developed countries (LDCs),” he explained, adding all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines.
“From now to 2030, China’s imports from other developing countries are likely to top US$8 trillion.”
He called on leaders to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation to bridge the North-South gap.
United States President Joe Biden highlighted his administration’s efforts to combat global hunger and poverty.
On Sunday, as part of his historic trip to the Amazon, President Biden announced that the United States had fulfilled the historic pledge to increase the country’s international climate finance to over $11 billion a year by 2024 – making the United States the largest bilateral provider of climate finance in the world.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed poverty, saying it was an important issue and that achievements in this area would significantly contribute to sustainable progress.
During his remarks, he spoke about India’s efforts, notably how the country collectively worked to remove 250 million people from the clutches of poverty.
The Prime Minister highlighted how India was providing free rations to 800 million people, thus strengthening the fight against hunger.
He touched on the initiatives being undertaken to ensure top quality and affordable healthcare for the poor and elderly, steps to boost financial self-reliance among women and ensure food as well as nutritional security.
“India believes in the approaches of ‘Back to Basics’ and ‘March to Future’. That is why we are emphasising organic farming, popularising millets and encouraging climate-resilient crop varieties.”
The G20 leaders will discuss global solutions to eradicate hunger, reduce social inequality, and promote sustainable development and food security to ensure a fairer and more equal future.
Read I Two-day G20 Summit kicks off in Brazil
French President Emmanuel Macron said they were counting on Brazil's leadership to ensure that the G20 moves forward to address global crises and challenges.
“No country should choose between fighting poverty and protecting the planet,” he said, adding that France will do everything in their power to address these issues. – SAnews.gov.za
