By Gabisile Ngcobo
Rio de Janeiro - The long-awaited Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit has kicked off with Heads of State and their delegates being welcomed at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil on Monday.
The venue, located in the heart of the city and showcasing a collection of Brazilian and international masterpieces, is hosting Heads of State from the 20 largest economies, along with representatives from the European Union and the African Union, over the next two days.
Located within the iconic Flamengo Park, the museum boasts tranquil, lush green surroundings.
This prominent gathering of world leaders has been convened to discuss critical issues affecting the globe, with a specific focus on climate change.
Several roads will be closed to the public for the duration of the summit, which will conclude on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, as many visitors return home.
Visitors are welcomed by clean streets adorned with billboards and posters featuring the G20 Summit logo.
Security personnel, including local police and army members, are ensuring the venue is secure as they line the streets on a warm spring day, leading to the main venue and the media centre.
Law enforcement personnel, many of whom are armed, are conducting security patrols and bag checks.
The city has deployed 130 traffic operators along with 55 motorcycles and 22 operational vehicles in areas directly related to the event and along the city’s main traffic routes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United States President Joe Biden, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the leaders in attendance.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed the leaders of the G20 guest countries, while his wife, Janja Lula da Silva, greeted spouses of guest nations and G20 members.
Da Silva delivered welcoming remarks before the first session, which will discuss social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres is also attending the gathering and expressed gratitude to President da Silva for hosting him in his country for this year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit.
“Our times are tumultuous, and we need to race much faster to tackle fundamental common challenges. The climate crisis has burned through another record, with 2024 likely to be the hottest year in history.
“We see the impacts everywhere. Look no further than the drought in the Amazon and horrible floods in southern Brazil,” he told the media.
Meanwhile, he said conflicts are raging and impunity spreading, with repeated violations of international law and the UN Charter.
“Inequality is growing, and progress on poverty and hunger has stalled. The Sustainable Development Goals are off-track.”
He challenged the G20 leaders to lead and tackle key global problems including peace.
He advocated for the strengthening of the global financial safety net to ensure that all countries are protected when shocks occur. In addition, he urged nations to agree on an ambitious climate finance goal that addresses the significant challenges faced by developing countries.
“Many challenges, but also many possible solutions. The G20 must lead by example.
“This is fundamental to restoring trust, credibility, and legitimacy of every government and our global system in these turbulent times. We need to seize every opportunity to lead transformative action for a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world,” the General Secretary added. – SAnews.gov.za
