G20 waters down stance on Russia and climate as Rio summit ends with a whimper

The world’s most powerful economies have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, but again fell short of condemning Russia in a lengthy joint statement full of intent but light on specifics.

G20 leaders pushed for greater climate cooperation but gave big polluters leeway to keep burning fossil fuels for decades, vowing to ramp up climate financing into the trillions but gave no mandates.

Despite fears G20 leaders would not be able to reach consensus on a final declaration at the end of the two-day Rio de Janeiro summit, all leaders except Argentina’s endorsed a document that pushed for an expansion of the United Nations Security Council.

They also called for a global tax on the ultra wealthy – but Brazil’s push for a two per cent impost was ultimately watered down.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it had been a “logistical exercise” to get the outcome, which was finalised against a backdrop of uncertainty of the incoming Trump Administration – and what that will mean for climate action, security and the global economy.

Peace and security

Noting the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalation in Lebanon”, leaders called for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and for an urgent expansion of humanitarian assistance.

They reiterated their “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution where Israel and a Palestinian state live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders” but did not otherwise mention Israel, Hamas’ October 7 attack, or the Israeli hostages.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its 1000th day, G20 leaders were deeply divided on the conflict.

US President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use longer-range US missiles to strike deeper into Russia played into meetings, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow’s supporters ultimately watered down a strong condemnation that many leaders had shared on the sidelines.

While Mr Albanese, Mr Biden and their UK, Canada and European counterparts has called for more pressure on Moscow, the Turkish president presented a “peace deal” that would allow Russia to keep the territory it had taken since 2022 and keep Ukraine out of NATO for ten years.

In the final declaration, leaders highlighted the human suffering in Ukraine and the impact it was having on global food and energy supplies, but did not mention Russia by name or condemn the invasion that began in 2022.

It said only: “We welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just and durable peace”.

Mr Albanese and his British counterpart Keir Starmer had been more forceful in their meeting on Monday (local time),when the pair said Vladamir Putin could “end the war now”.

“The Prime Ministers reiterated the need for G20 leaders to double down on support for Ukraine. Both agreed they would do whatever it takes to ensure Putin does not win,” a Downing St spokesperson said.

Mr Albanese had said while Australia was not participating in the peace talks, Australia had a very clear position: “Which is that Mr Putin could end this conflict today by withdrawing… into his own borders. That is in the interest of the international rule of law”.

“And the comments that were made today at the G20 were consistent across the board. Almost eery speaker – obviously with the exception of Mr Lavrov and one or two others – mentioned in their contributions their opposition to Russia’s actions, which make it an international pariah.”

Russia’s ongoing presence at the United Nations Security Council – which has hampered efforts to pass resolutions since the war broke out – also formed part of talks and resulted in a pledge to reform the body.

“We pledge to reform the Security Council through a transformative reform that aligns it with the realities and demands of the 21st century,” final declaration said.

Leaders called for an enlarged security council that better represents Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Climate

With the incoming Trump Administration threatening to pull out of the Paris Agreement and wind back climate investment, Brazil had ranked climate change high on the G20 agenda.

Leaders failed to send the concurrent COP29 a clear mandate to help break deadlocked negotiations.

The climate talks in Azerbaijan have stalled, with nations unable to agree to a $1 trillion deal for climate investments in developing nations. Talks are stuck over the final figure, the type of financing, and who should pay. Western countries believe China and wealthy Gulf states should join the list of donors and had asked leaders in Brazil for a breakthrough.

UN secretary general Antonio Gutarres was in Rio this week to call on G20 leaders to rescue the talks by showing “leadership”, while the COP29 president had pleaded from Baku for help.

But the final G20 declaration fell short, offering only a commitment to “successful negotiations in Baku”. Leaders reiterated the need to “rapidly and substantially scale up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources”, but gave no clear guidelines for how to do so.

The final communique didn’t mention a deadline to phase out fossil fuels, but reiterated a resolve to meet the Paris Agreement and a commitment to “intensify our efforts to achieve global net zero by around mid-century”.