Rio de Janeiro Leaders' Declaration

Key Chapter Title List

1. International Economic and Political Situation
2. Social Inclusion and the Eradication of Hunger and Poverty
3. Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, and Climate Action
4. Reform of Global Governance Institutions
5. United Nations-Related Reforms
6. International Financial Architecture Reform
7. Multilateral Trading System
8. Artificial Intelligence Governance and Application
9. Building an Inclusive and Efficient G20
10. Regional Conflicts and Humanitarian Response
11. Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Development
12. Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

Document Introduction

On November 18-19, 2024, G20 leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro to jointly address major global challenges and crises and promote strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth, centered around the core theme of "Building a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet." This meeting coincided with a critical six-year window remaining for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With only 17% of global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) progress on track, nearly half showing weak progress, and over one-third stalled or regressing, inequality has become a root cause of many global challenges. This context forms the core background and starting point for action in the declaration.

The declaration first outlines the multiple challenges currently facing global geopolitics, socio-economic conditions, and the climate environment. It clarifies the G20's core responsibility as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, emphasizes the shared responsibility of nations for global economic governance, and supports developing countries in addressing crises and achieving the SDGs. In the economic sphere, the declaration notes that while a soft landing for the global economy is anticipated, risks remain, including uneven growth and medium-to-long-term growth prospects below historical averages. It commits to maintaining price stability and fiscal sustainability, and reducing growth disparities among nations through coordinated fiscal and monetary policies, structural reforms, and other measures.

Regarding the three core priority issues, the declaration proposes specific action frameworks: On social inclusion, it launches a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, promoting food security, improved nutrition, inclusive finance, social protection, and other initiatives, aiming to reduce the intergenerational transmission of inequality and ensure basic services and decent work for all. On sustainable development and climate action, it reaffirms the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature goal, commits to accelerating the clean energy transition, scaling up climate finance, implementing the biodiversity framework, and advancing international legislation on plastic pollution. On global governance reform, it calls for strengthening the representativeness and effectiveness of the UN system, advancing Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) reforms, enhancing the voice of developing countries in international financial institutions, and improving the multilateral trading system and global AI governance.

Addressing regional conflicts and humanitarian crises, the declaration expresses concern over the situations in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and the conflict in Ukraine. It emphasizes adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, calls for a comprehensive ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access, and condemns attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Simultaneously, the declaration covers multiple cross-cutting areas such as tax cooperation, anti-corruption, digital transformation, public health, and cultural heritage protection, forming a comprehensive, multi-dimensional blueprint for multilateral cooperation.

As a key outcome of Brazil's G20 Presidency, the declaration embodies the core concept of "placing inequalities of all dimensions at the center of the agenda." By integrating the collaborative mechanisms of the Sherpa Track and the Finance Track, it strengthens the G20's inclusivity and operational effectiveness. The African Union's accession as a full member further enhances the forum's representativeness, providing a broader platform for Global South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue. Ultimately, the declaration lays the groundwork for the 2025 South African Presidency and subsequent G20 processes, highlighting the core value of multilateralism in addressing complex global crises.