A united G20 for the future
The future of the international order depends on peace and dialogue. Mexico firmly believes that the rules-based multilateral system must be reinforced and rehabilitated to ensure its relevance. The G20 is a platform to advance this vision.
We must remember that the Covid-19 pandemic and its multidimensional effects revealed the importance of international cooperation and collective efforts to overcome unprecedented challenges. However, the temptation to return to unilateral measures in times of crisis continues to be present.
The wide consensus on recovery achieved by the G20 Rome Summit in 2021 has been replaced by international rivalry and polarisation. The Russian invasion of Ukraine broke out just when the global economy had the opportunity to overcome the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and of unilateralism.
We foresee the Bali Summit as an opportunity to advance the G20 priorities to return to the path of global recovery and diplomacy to alleviate geopolitical tensions.
Mexico celebrates the leadership of Indonesia to cope with these complex challenges and advance the priorities set when it took over the G20 presidency in December 2021: strengthening the global health architecture, digital transformation and energy transition.
It was difficult for us all to anticipate an international war scenario and its severe impacts on the G20 objectives.
Focusing the G20
Amid this complex setting, the G20 must refocus the way we do business and strive for the political will to reach consensus on our main concerns to respond to new and more challenging threats in the global economy, such as inflation, the food and energy security crises, and their particular effects on women, youth and migrants.
We will continue promoting global health security, aiming at universal and equitable access to vaccines as the best strategy to fight current and future pandemics, particularly for the most vulnerable countries. Despite these uncertain times, I am confident that we will advance the adoption of innovative mechanisms for prevention, preparedness and response.
The pandemic has derailed the progress of all countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The impact was greater on developing countries. We keep poverty and inequality eradication as a key global priority to promote food safety during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
On migration, we will continue to promote the recognition of the economic impact of the current crisis on migrants, as well as on their contributions to the global economy. Mexico will strive as well for the integration of migrants and refugees in recovery efforts, bearing in mind the multiple humanitarian consequences of the current conflict.
Political will of all countries
Climate change, inequalities and economic interdependence also require every country’s political will.
Mexico has contributed to the G20 Action Plan for a strong and inclusive recovery with relevant projects that have proven to foster direct benefits to the most vulnerable communities, such as ‘Youth Building the Future’, ‘Sowing Life’, the ‘Mexico-EU Joint Fund on Preparedness for Current and Future Pandemics’ and ‘The Global Care Alliance’, as part of the G20’s concrete deliverables for this year.
We also rejected the exclusion of any member from the G20 and the ‘business as usual’ logic. Global challenges have to be resolved through dialogue. We must all be represented and be accountable. Negotiations must be open to discuss the economic, political and social future of the international order. As reflected by the agreement to unblock grain exports from Ukraine in July, diplomacy must prevail to resolve the multiple effects of the war.
boosting mediation efforts
Aware of our individual and collective responsibility, the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has proposed the creation of a High-Level Caucus for Dialogue and Peace in Ukraine to boost the mediation efforts of the United Nations secretary-general, in partnership with other heads of state and government. Our main goal is to reduce tensions, contribute to a cease-fire and to the ultimate goal of achieving a sustainable peace agreement.
The G20 cannot allow this international juncture to negatively determine its future as the main mechanism for global political and economic coordination. The assessment of the Bali Summit will depend on the consensus reached and will be decisive for the prospects of the Indian, Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies that follow in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively. A balance of power and confidence in recovery must be the engines guiding a reinvigorated multilateralism for a future of prosperity.
