STATEMENT OF THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE GROUP (3G) AT THE BRIEFING BY THE G20 SHERPA OF BRAZIL TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 12 MARCH 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Global Governance Group, or 3G, which comprises the following 30 Member States of the UN: The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Viet Nam, and my own country, Singapore. The 3G is an informal, cross-regional grouping of small and medium-sized countries established in 2009, to facilitate greater engagement and coordination between the G20 and non-G20 members, and to build inclusive global governance.

2        We would like to thank His ExcellencyMauricio Carvalho Lyrio, the G20 Sherpa of Brazil, for his briefing to the General Assembly on the priorities of Brazil’s G20 Presidency. We welcome and appreciate Brazil’s efforts to consult the wider UN membership to take into consideration views from a broader perspective. We regard this briefing as an important exercise in transparency and inclusiveness. The 3G remains committed to supporting the work of the G20 in order to ensure macroeconomic stability globally and to strengthen global governance. 

3        Brazil’s G20 theme of “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet” is timely and appropriate. It aptly reflects our shared commitment to strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation, promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights, and accelerating efforts for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global recovery. We also welcome the priorities Brazil has further outlined, which complement the ongoing processes at the UN to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and it builds on the tremendous efforts of previous G20 Presidencies, including the contributions made by India, Italy and Indonesia. We wish to make three specific points.

4        First, on social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty. The principle of “leave no one behind” must remain central to our collective efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. International collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leveraging technology and innovation are key enablers. Inclusion will require us to involve and engage all stakeholders, including from the private sector and civil society, to develop open and accessible public goods. We also welcome Brazil’s creation of a Task Force for a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, to co-create solutions to development crises and challenges, through renewed multilateral cooperation.   

5        Second, on sustainable development and energy transitions, we will need to accelerate efforts to channel resources towards sustainable, innovative, and impactful solutions to achieve the SDGs and decarbonise our world. We cannot delay or postpone any longer. It is important to recognise the immense opportunities in green energy, and actively empower, invest in, and partner our people, communities, and companies. This will require building an ecosystem for such a transition, including mobilising funds for concrete and impactful sustainability solutions. To this end, we welcome the many initiatives to foster the alignment of the financial sector with the long-term goals of sustainable development, and more specifically the Paris Agreement, including through Brazil’s creation of a Task Force for the Global Mobilization Against Climate Change. We commend Brazil's leadership to advance these efforts further in the context of the G20.  

6        Third, on the reform of global governance, we acknowledge Brazil’s ambition to reinvigorate the synergies between the G20, the UN, and international financial institutions, and re-equip them to be fit for purpose. In this regard, we also acknowledge the UN Secretary-General’s proposal of a Biennial Summit with the purpose of enhancing coordination and cooperation among the key actors of the international financial architecture, while taking into account the interests of the UN membership as a whole. We thank Brazil for continuing the G20’s practice of engaging non-G20 stakeholders, including the 3G and developing countries, in addressing our common goals and challenges. 

7        To conclude, the 3G looks forward to working constructively with the G20 under Brazil’s Presidency in 2024. We are encouraged that Brazil’s aspirations align with the objectives of the Summit of the Future, and we hope this continues to strengthen the relationship between the G20 and the UN. We also reaffirm our commitment to support Brazil in achieving a successful G20 Summit in Rio this year.

8        Thank you Mr. President.  

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