India’s G20 legacy
India’s G20 presidency set a new standard for global cooperation, championing sustainable development, digital innovation and gender equality amid global challenges
In November 2023, India concluded its G20 presidency with notable achievements in fostering international collaboration and spearheading sustainable development initiatives that address global challenges. Our presidency was characterised by a concerted effort to integrate the needs of the Global South into the global dialogue, emphasising holistic growth, innovation and a renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation. Brazil has taken over the presidency, inheriting a robust framework of initiatives well aligned with its own geopolitical and economic perspectives.
Sustainable living
India’s Lifestyle for Environment initiative focuses on promoting sustainable living to address climate change effectively. It calls on individuals, communities and countries to adopt eco-friendly practices in a ground-up approach to combating environmental challenges. It has gained global support from think tanks, academia, international organisations and philanthropy, leading to the Global Alliance for Life Economies Research and Innovation. Through LiFE economies, GALERI promotes sustainable economies, prioritising long-term benefits over short-term profits by encouraging shifts in values and behaviour, and aligning economic growth with societal well-being.
Brazil, with its rich natural resources and leadership in environmental conservation, is ideally suited to further this initiative. Its focus on protecting its own biodiversity and fostering urban sustainability initiatives offers unique opportunities to lead global climate action through practical, community-based changes.
India also introduced the ambitious Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future, which encourages significant emission reductions and supports the transition towards a net-zero future by 2030. The pact aims to expedite the transition to clean, affordable, inclusive energy, with G20 members agreeing to triple global renewable energy capacities by 2030. India’s presidency marked a notable shift in global financial strategies by emphasising the need to scale up climate finance to trillions of dollars, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s objectives. The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration laid the foundation for an ambitious new collective quantified goal on climate finance, starting with $100 billion per year.
Digital innovation
Significant strides were made in utilising digital technologies to enhance transparency and efficiency in public service delivery. This involves developing open, inclusive, scalable digital systems that have become benchmarks for governments worldwide. Recognising the critical role of technology in development, India championed digital public infrastructure, showcasing its deployment in delivering public services to its 1.4 billion citizens as a model for inclusive growth. The G20 adopted a formal definition of DPI, leading to the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository. This platform aims to facilitate sharing DPI resources worldwide, and India has pledged $25 million through a social impact fund to assist DPI implementation in the Global South. Brazil can leverage its technological capabilities to broaden the reach of digital services, thereby enhancing financial inclusion, healthcare access and efficient governance across its diverse populace.
India’s G20 agenda stressed the empowerment of women as a cornerstone for societal and economic development.
This vision laid the groundwork for initiatives that foster women’s full participation in the economy and governance. Brazil is now positioned to champion these initiatives by promoting policies that support women’s leadership in business, politics and education. This focus is vital in driving forward gender equality and ensuring women’s central role in developmental strategies.
With the 2030 Agenda deadline looming, the G20 under India’s leadership emphasised the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Brazil is expected to keep this momentum, with
a strategic focus on enhancing partnerships that propel advancements in health, education and environmental sustainability – crucial in moving towards a global framework where sustainable development becomes a reality.
Despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy and largest democracy, India has long been sidelined by outdated multilateral structures. Through its G20 presidency, it advocated for revitalised multilateralism, calling for more representative, effective, transparent, accountable global governance. One key achievement was the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member, reinforcing India’s commitment to a more equitable world order.
As the Global South faces significant economic shocks from geopolitical crises and climate change, India prioritised reforming international financial institutions. It called for better, bigger, more effective, more representative multilateral development banks to maximise development impact, especially in vulnerable regions.
These reforms are essential for ensuring that the global financial architecture meets the evolving needs of developing countries. Brazil, with its influential position in Latin America and the broader Global South, is continuing to advocate for these reforms, promoting a more equitable global financial system.
Brazil’s strategic focus
Brazil’s G20 presidency is aligned with the foundational goals set by India, with a clear emphasis on combating inequality and enhancing global governance. It has launched several initiatives aimed at consolidating global efforts against hunger, poverty and environmental degradation.
These include the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which already has substantial backing from G20 members. It aims to create a unified global response to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty through international cooperation and sustainable practices.
The Task Force for the Global Mobilization Against Climate Change is dedicated to formulating a global strategy for climate action, emphasising the crucial role of sustainable development and responsible use of biodiversity. The initiative on bioeconomy is particularly significant, integrating science, technology and innovation to harness biodiversity for sustainable development.
Brazil’s presidency has adeptly handled various geopolitical issues, maintaining a focus on consensus and cooperative dialogue within the G20. This approach mirrors India’s strategy, with geopolitical discussions streamlined for a more unified approach to global economic and developmental challenges. Brazil has made history by intensifying engagement with various social groups, and planning a Social Summit that promises to be a landmark in promoting inclusivity in global economic discussions.
During India’s presidency, the scale of engagement and cultural promotion was extraordinarily rich. India showcased its cultural heritage and local crafts at G20 meetings, setting a high standard for cultural diplomacy. Brazil, with its vibrant culture and diverse heritage, has built on this legacy, promoting its own cultural narratives to enrich the G20 experience for all participants.
As Brazil leads the G20, it upholds the legacy of India’s presidency, advancing a shared vision of sustainable development and inclusive growth. By championing environmental sustainability, digital innovation, women’s empowerment and structural reforms, Brazil is steering the G20 in addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. Through continued collaboration, especially within the Global South, Brazil and India are key players in shaping a global agenda that prioritises equity, resilience and collective progress. The path they are cutting underscores the importance of leadership that reflects the aspirations and challenges of the wider international community, ensuring that global policies are robust, inclusive and forward-looking.
