The recent G20 Summit in India concluded with a joint declaration that exhibited basic solidarity and a neutral perspective on the Ukraine crisis. This stance highlights the widening divergences among member nations. Chinese analysts emphasized the G20’s importance as a global governance mechanism, even as the group faces potential dysfunction due to major power struggles.
Commitment to Economic Cooperation
G20 leaders reiterated their commitment to international economic cooperation, aiming to bolster global growth. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the leaders expressed intent to act decisively through collaborations to boost strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang highlighted the global challenges, noting the urgent need for nations to strengthen confidence, adopt a long-term perspective, and address current challenges. He underscored development as the paramount concern, urging G20 members to prioritize it in their macro-policy coordination.
Neutral Stance on Ukraine Crisis
Unlike the 2022 declaration, this year’s statement refrained from directly condemning any nation regarding the Ukraine crisis. Instead, it emphasized adhering to the UN Charter’s principles concerning territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence.
The 2022 declaration in Bali had stronger language, condemning the Ukraine conflict for its immense human suffering and its adverse effects on the global economy. However, experts argue that such a stance proved ineffective in resolving the crisis, with the situation in Ukraine remaining dire.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, mentioned that the current declaration indicates a fundamental consensus among G20 members. The declaration showcases the growing influence of developing and non-Western economies, ensuring the G20 isn’t wholly dominated by Western narratives.
Inclusivity and Representation
The declaration expressed an intention to incorporate the views of developing countries in the G20 agenda, thereby amplifying their global decision-making role. The African Union (AU) was welcomed as a permanent G20 member, a move believed to enhance the group’s capacity to address global challenges.
Founded in 1999, the G20 serves as a vital forum for international discourse on financial and economic matters. It consists of 19 countries, the European Union, and, as of this summit, the African Union.
China was the foremost nation to support the AU’s G20 inclusion, emphasizing the AU’s crucial role in global governance. Rahamtalla M. Osman, the AU’s Permanent Representative to China, previously appreciated China and Indonesia for championing the AU’s G20 membership.
Experts believe the inclusion of the AU enhances the representativeness of the G20. Lin Minwang of Fudan University opined that India, this year’s host, has become increasingly significant on the global stage, being wooed by both the West and Russia. India’s stance illustrates that developing nations are reluctant to pick sides in global conflicts, such as the Ukraine crisis or the U.S.-China tensions.
However, some experts believe India’s current stature isn’t sufficient for it to lead the Global South.
Global Governance and Challenges
The G20’s declaration warned of cascading crises impacting long-term growth, emphasizing the group’s pivotal role in guiding global trajectories. Premier Li Qiang stressed the necessity for actionable cooperation mechanisms and increased support for developing countries tackling challenges like poverty, climate change, and energy security.
In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the group seeks to enhance financing from all sources to progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, highlighted a global lack of environmental commitment, culminating in a climate emergency. He referenced the unmet promise by wealthy nations to provide $100 billion annually in new climate finance to developing countries since the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference.
Analysts point out the persistent differences between developed and developing nations on climate issues, expressing skepticism about Western countries meeting their climate commitments.
Li Haidong concluded, “Despite growing divergences among major powers, the G20 remains the most representative multilateral mechanism addressing global economic concerns. China will continue participating, ensuring its voice and the voices of the global community are heard.”
Read More: