Development organizations have expressed their disappointment with the outcome of the summit of the large industrialized and emerging countries (G20). The G20 leaders had not taken any concrete steps in the fight against poverty, hunger and climate change, it was criticized after the end of the summit on the Indonesian island of Bali on Wednesday.
“In the midst of a crisis of debt, austerity and inequality, we would have expected far more from the world’s largest economies,” said Oxfam’s Jörn Kalinski. At a time when the G20 leaders should have flexed their economic muscles, “they flinched,” Kalinski said. “There was no sign of collective determination to solve the world’s problems.” Instead, there are only “recycled assurances”, a smoldering debt crisis, and measures for corona vaccinations and health security “that are as useful as a band-aid on a broken leg”.
“The lack of results from the G20 summit shows that the most powerful countries in the world have again failed to meet their responsibilities,” said Friederike Röder of Global Citizen. In the fight against climate change, only previous statements have been repeated. Even if the G20 see the economic consequences of the climate crisis and the need for greater efforts, “they do not take responsibility for their own actions”. With a share of 80 percent, the G20 countries are the largest producers of carbon dioxide.
Dodd: 22 African countries facing bankruptcy
Global Citizen welcomed the extension of the agreement on grain exports from Ukraine and targeted support for rising food prices. “But that’s just not enough in view of the 50 million people who are on the brink of starvation,” said Roeder.
“The current hunger crisis is the worst in 40 years,” said World Vision’s Fiona Uellendahl. “More than 820 million people go to bed hungry every day.” Since not enough funds are made available, only “triple steps” are possible.
“Once again we witnessed a G20 summit that promised much but failed to deliver real action for the millions of people most affected by hunger, poverty, economic hardship and the climate crisis,” said ONE’s Amy Dodd .
Today 22 African countries are facing national bankruptcy. Nevertheless, there is a lack of urgency and a clear timetable for the reform of global financial institutions such as the World Bank. A complete assessment of the climate commitments will only be possible after the results of the world climate conference in Egypt. “But it’s good that a clear signal has been given for a new and more ambitious target for climate finance,” Dodd said.
