The Secretary-General directs 3 demands to the G20 leaders: “It is time for leadership and vision.”

This came during a press conference held by Secretary-General António Guterres in the South African city ahead of the meetings that will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

He said that the G20 countries, as the world’s largest economies, are able to have a significant impact on alleviating suffering and ensuring that economic growth is widely shared. “And put our world on a better and more peaceful path for the future.” Adding that he will call on leaders during his meetings to use their influence “To lead the action we need,” Especially in three main areas.

1 – Working for peace

The Secretary-General said he would call on members of the group to use their influence to end conflicts, highlighting in particular the situation in Sudan.

He added that “massacre” It must end, and the need is stressed:

Guterres also stressed the need to end violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, and establish a reliable path to end the occupation and achieve the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

He also pointed out the need to establish peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Sahel region – especially Mali, as well as in Ukraine, and said: “Everywhere – from Haiti to Yemen to Myanmar and beyond – we must choose peace grounded in international law.”

2 – Economic work

The Secretary-General pointed out that developing countries – especially in Africa – suffer from “A stifling crisis represented by shrinking fiscal space, crushing debt burdens, and a global financial architecture that cannot adequately support – or even represent – ​​it.”

He said Africa must have a fair seat in all forums where decisions are made – from the boards of international financial institutions to permanent seats on the UN Security Council, to other global bodies.

He added that he would urge G20 members to fulfill commitments made at the Financing for Development Conference held in June in Seville to provide more financing to developing countries.

This includes tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, enhancing their role in attracting more private financing, alleviating debt burdens, and helping to enhance the ability of developing countries to mobilize domestic resources. “Building bridges, not trade barriers.”

And he said: “Inequality has become a cancer in our societies, concentrating power and weakening confidence in democracy.”

3- Climate action

Guterres said that the 30th United Nations climate conference held in Brazil (cup 30) shows the amount of work to be done. He stated that avoiding further climate chaos means closing the adaptation gap urgently, which requires a massive increase in financing. He stressed the need for developed countries to fulfill the promises they made in this context.

He also emphasized the necessity “Promoting a just transition to renewable energy” Adding that Africa must be at the heart of the clean energy revolution currently underway.

He pointed out that the continent has enormous potential in the field of solar and wind energy, but it lacks the necessary investments to harness it.

And he said: “No one should be left in the dark in the era of clean energy – especially the continent that has contributed the least to the climate crisis. [الدراسات] Economics is in our favour. But the political will needs to catch up.”