G20 urgently calls for more humanitarian aid in Gaza

The first day of the two-day G20 summit, an assembly of the world’s largest economies, concluded on Monday evening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with leaders adopting a final declaration. The document, published by the host nation, stresses “the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance” to the Palestinian Gaza Strip and calls for the “lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance,” but refrains from mentioning Israel and Egypt, which control the borders. The declaration takes a more cautious stance on the war in Ukraine, initiated by Russia, which is a member of the G20. It acknowledges the human suffering and negative impacts of the Eastern European conflict, and expresses support for initiatives aimed at achieving a “just and durable peace.”

The 22-page declaration, comprising 85 sections, was unanimously endorsed, even by Argentina, which had shown hesitation during negotiations. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was determined to address issues with broad consensus, such as the fight against hunger and poverty, in order to ensure the success of the summit — an event that signals Brazil’s reemergence as a significant global player after the period of isolation experienced during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency.

While Argentina’s President Javier Milei signed the declaration, he issued a statement highlighting his many reservations about the agreed text. Despite these criticisms, the document includes references to gender equality, a wealth tax on the ultra-wealthy, the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, and the commitment to accelerate efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The sections addressing Israel’s invasion of Gaza and Lebanon, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, posed the greatest challenge for negotiators in the weeks leading up to the summit. Previous G20 gatherings in India and Indonesia had struggled to reach consensus on the Ukraine conflict.

The paragraph concerning the Middle East is longer — 147 words — and stronger than the section on Ukraine: it explicitly supports a ceasefire. In contrast, the reference to Ukraine is briefer at 77 words and more descriptive. To a degree, it reflects Brazil’s position, which is notably more assertive regarding Israel than Russia.

European G20 members sought to adopt a firmer stance on Ukraine, particularly after Russia’s weekend assault on energy infrastructure, but this was resisted by the Brazilian presidency.

Russia’s representative, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, used the summit as an opportunity to meet bilaterally with Chinese President Xi Jinping and strengthen ties. “We are truly at an unprecedented stage in the development of our strategic relations of a comprehensive partnership,” Lavrov said during the summit, according to a post on the Russian Foreign Ministry Telegram channel, cited by Reuters.

The declaration also reaffirms the G20′s “full commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” This section — which met with opposition from Milei’s government during the July ministerial summit within the framework of the G-20 negotiations — emphasizes “women-led development” and the “equal, full and meaningful participation of women in the economy,” recognizing this as crucial for global economic growth.

Central to this section — and repeatedly opposed by the Argentine president — is the acknowledgment that “all women and girls face particular barriers because of various factors, such as lack of access to health care, education, career development, equal pay, and leadership opportunities.” The G20 declaration expressly condemns “every form of discrimination against women and girls” and reiterates its commitment to “end gender-based violence including sexual violence and combat misogyny online and offline.”

Additionally, the text reaffirms G20 leaders’ support for migrants, and encourages “efforts towards a more inclusive world, in line with national policies, legislations and circumstances, ensuring full respect for the human rights and their fundamental freedoms regardless of their migration status.”

Simultaneously, it underscores “the importance of preventing irregular migration flows and the smuggling of migrants, as part of a comprehensive approach for safe, orderly and regular migration while responding to humanitarian needs and the root causes of displacement.” This approach stands in stark contrast to the hardline immigration policies that Donald Trump has pledged to implement when he takes office on January 20, including mass deportations.

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