Pathways to recovery
In 2021, we and other leaders around the world have been facing the challenges of mass vaccination, economic recovery, social inclusion and sustainable development. At the same time, we have been seeking to promote the much-needed reforms to make our countries more resilient to future crises.
In 2020, we, G20 leaders, made a commitment to ensure access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for all. The implementation of this commitment, however, has fallen short of expectations. Production bottlenecks, insufficient supply in the face of huge demand and export restrictions, among other factors, have prevented vaccines from becoming a global public good. The situation on the African continent, where a very small portion of the population has been vaccinated thus far, is of particular concern.
Brazil favours greater international cooperation to increase vaccine production in developing countries, particularly through the facilitation of licensing agreements and technology transfer.
We support the strengthening of national and international capacities for preparedness and response to future pandemics, an objective to be pursued by promoting access to universal healthcare and strengthening national health systems and their services coverage. The World Health Organization must be modernised to fulfil its role with greater efficiency and transparency, and in better coordination with national health systems. Brazil will remain focused on the modernisation of the WHO and other international organisations and on further investing in our national health systems, rather than creating new international governance structures.
Looking forward
Fortunately, Brazil has advanced consistently towards controlling the pandemic. We have already immunised most of our population. We have applied more than 230 million doses, which places us among the countries that have vaccinated their populations the most.
In Brazil, as throughout the world, advances in the fight against the health crisis have paved the way for the resumption of economic growth, including through the implementation of structural reforms that will allow for a new cycle of development and prosperity.
Brazil has a sustainable development model. We have one of the cleanest energy matrices among G20 countries, with the highest share of renewable energy, and our economic activity is among the least carbon intensive. We remain committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
At COP26 in Glasgow, we will advocate for ambitious, fair, and equitable results, which must necessarily reflect a balance between mitigation, capacity building and financing, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We will seek consensus on the rules of the global carbon credit market. Moreover, it is key that industrialised countries effectively fulfil their financing commitments in relevant volumes.
an equitable approach
Brazil is of the view that the G20 shall seek an approach that treats equitably the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. Our commitments to combating climate change are increasingly ambitious, corresponding to the challenges of economic growth with prosperity for all. We now anticipate we will reach our carbon neutrality goal by 2050, rather than the previous date of 2060.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of international supply chains and the need to keep them open and flowing. During this period, international trade has played a key role in ensuring food security and access to vaccines and medical equipment.
To strengthen global supply chains, it is crucial that we have a free and fair multilateral trading system. To that end, Brazil has been a strong supporter of the reform of the World Trade Organization and of the rapid reinstatement of its dispute settlement mechanism. We advocate a comprehensive review of subsidies in all sectors: agricultural, industrial and fossil fuels. We also understand that it is essential to reduce subsidies that distort trade, compromise efficiency or harm the environment.
In recent decades, the world got used to regarding the G20 as a forum for solving economic crises. As we overcome the health crisis, we must focus on promoting more and better jobs and greater economic and social inclusion, especially for women and the most vulnerable populations, while implementing commitments to protect the environment and combat climate change.
Brazil will continue to work actively for the G20 to achieve the best possible results at the Rome Summit in October. We count on the same determination from the other members.
