The President of the Government of Spain considers the results of the G20 Summit to be positive in a particularly complex geopolitical context

Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, took part in the second day of the G20 Summit, where he attended the third plenary session that dealt with sustainable development and energy transitions, another issue that is closely related to the priorities of the Government of Spain. Pedro Sánchez also attended the presentation of the reports of the Social Summit, as well as the closing session and the handover to the next presidency, which will be held by South Africa.

The Government of Spain is satisfied with the outcome of the Summit. "We would undoubtedly have liked a more ambitious Declaration to match the enormous challenges we face," although the fact that there is a joint and consensual Declaration "is an achievement in itself," he explained in his appearance, in which he set out the main conclusions of the G20 Summit.

The head of the Executive thanked the Brazilian presidency for its excellent work and hospitality, while at the same time highlighting the role played by Spain during the Summit. Pedro Sánchez has positively highlighted the reference to the geopolitical situation in the Leaders' Declaration despite the differences between members. The G20 sends a clear message of commitment to a just peace, to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and to international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, in all contexts and at all times, including in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon.

Group photo of the second day of the G20 Summit | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government of Spain stressed that Spain has always advocated this balance, in which the primacy of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and irreversible progress towards a two-state solution in the Middle East is very clear. "These are terms reflected in the Declaration," he explained. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez stated that "although Spain would have liked a stronger text, it is undoubtedly the best we could have achieved as a group."

Secondly, the president welcomed the official launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and acknowledged Brazil's track record with such policies. On this point, he stressed that Spain has supported this project from the outset and highlighted the value of the initial financial commitment of 850,000 dollars to support its secretariat.

He also underlined Spain's commitment to multilateralism and referred to the announcement of a contribution of almost 60 million euros in the WHO investment round to help ensure the sustainable financing of the organisation between 2025 and 2028.

The head of the Executive has valued the intense debate that the G20 has held on the progress made in the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, and has highlighted the fact that the Leaders' Declaration calls for the success of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Seville next year. Pedro Sánchez reviewed aspects addressed during the Summit, such as the reform of the multilateral financial system and the agreement for the World Development Banks to deepen their reforms and mobilise more capital.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, with some of the leaders attending the G20 Summit | Pool Moncloa /Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The leader of the Executive was also able to reiterate Spain's commitment to contribute 400 million euros to the World Bank's International Development Association, an increase of almost 40% compared to the previous replenishment cycle.

With regard to the negotiations on climate, energy and the environment, the president acknowledged that the negotiations have been complex and that the commitments "perhaps fall short of what Spain would have liked."

Even so, Pedro Sánchez made reference to the fact that this is due to the fact that the Summit coincided in time with the COP29, where it is hoped that progress can be made to help curb the climate emergency. "What is clear is that the progress made under the Paris Agreement is irreversible," he stressed.

The president also highlighted the unprecedented mentions in the Declaration of social dialogue and collective bargaining related to work, as well as the reiteration of messages on the phenomenon of migration and the presence of ambitious messages on gender equality.

Bilateral meetings

Pedro Sánchez held several bilateral meetings during his participation in the G20 Summit, one of them with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, with whom he shared the desire to strengthen political, trade and investment relations between the two countries. Regarding this meeting, the president stressed that Vietnam has become a pole of attraction for foreign investment and that, thanks to the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, Spanish companies will be able to develop great business opportunities in Vietnam.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva | Pool Moncloa /Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

He also met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, with whom he shared Spain's firm commitment to multilateralism and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Non official translation