Lula da Silva on G20
TL;DR
Lula da Silva strongly advocates for the G20 to prioritize the fight against inequality and reform global governance structures to be more equitable.
Key Points
He made fighting hunger, extreme poverty, and inequality the central commitment for Brazil's G20 presidency starting in December 2023.
Lula strongly advocates for the reform of global governance institutions, citing their anachronism and need for improved climate finance mechanisms, as stated in late 2023.
He intends to take his fossil fuel transition roadmap to the G20 in Johannesburg to campaign for it, despite reported opposition from certain states in November 2025.
Summary
Lula da Silva views the G20 as the most influential political and economic forum globally, positioning Brazil's presidency to place the fight against hunger, extreme poverty, and inequality at the center of its international agenda. He explicitly states that a new globalization is needed to combat disparities, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for massive wealth to exist alongside widespread hunger. A core element of his approach is demanding a fundamental reform of global governance institutions, such as the IMF and World Bank, arguing that their post-1945 paradigms are anachronistic and do not reflect 21st-century realities.
His agenda for the bloc is structured around three axes: social inclusion and fighting poverty, promoting sustainable development and energy transitions, and reforming global governance. He links the G20’s efforts to climate action, noting the group's massive contribution to global emissions, and stresses the need for developed nations to provide adequate financial compensation and improve access to climate finance mechanisms. Furthermore, he promotes an agenda focused on the Global South's challenges, which he believes was evident in the 2024 Rio Summit's focus and the creation of the Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lula da Silva's main focus for the G20 is to prioritize social inclusion and the eradication of hunger and poverty on the international agenda. He also strongly pushes for the reform of global governance institutions to better represent the current world order.
He believes the G20 is critical for climate action as the group is responsible for three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. He calls for more ambitious nationally determined contributions and better access to climate finance for developing countries.
Yes, Lula da Silva explicitly stated the need for a 'new globalization that fights disparities' during the opening of the G20 Sherpas and Finance Tracks meeting. This concept underpins his entire agenda for the Brazilian presidency.
Sources6
President Lula Reinforces Brazil's Priorities by Assuming Leadership of the G20
Brazilian president will take fossil fuel phase-out plan to G20 summit
President Lula's press statement during his State visit to South Korea
Brazil's G20 Presidency: Looking at Some Indicators - GIGA
Lula at Midterm: The G20 Summit in Brazil at the Intersection of Domestic and Foreign Policy Agendas
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.