Guterres told G20 Ministers: Cooperation is the key to a sustainable future

A young girl in Côte d'Ivoire holds up a solar panel and takes a course on renewable energy

As G20 foreign ministers met on Wednesday to discuss sustainable development and justice, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged global financial institutions to "work together for the good of humanity."

Guterres told G20 foreign ministers that progress in ending the climate crisis, inequality and the harmful effects of new technologies is "slipping" and requires intervention.

He pointed to the adoption of the Future Pact on Sunday as a crucial first step. Action needs to be taken starting today.

Finance and Climate

Guterres said G20 members need to work together to achieve a more sustainable world by reforming the international financial system and addressing the climate crisis.

"We need ambitious reforms of the international financial architecture to make it fully representative of today's global economy to provide strong support for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals," he said. ”

Guterres further urged the need for stronger action to address the debt burden and soaring financial system to reduce the cost of inequality faced by many communities.

With record-breaking temperatures and disruptive weather events set to occur in 2024, action is also needed to tackle the climate crisis, he said.

The clear solution, he argues, is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.

"Since 2015, there has been little increase in clean energy investment in emerging and developing economies, with the exception of China and India," he said. The energy transition must be based on justice and equity, from which all countries can benefit. ”

An inclusive global institution

Guterres also called for inclusive global institutions to "address the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Stronger reforms can be achieved if there is fair and representative governance, he said.

"The Compact for the Future includes commitments to make multilateral institutions more representative, effective, transparent and accountable," he said. ”

Committed to collaboration

Guterres concluded by reminding G20 ministers that the UN is committed to "strengthening our convening role as a platform for inclusive dialogue and action, including hosting a summit in 2025 for effective dialogue."

"I urge the G20 to seize every opportunity to raise the ambition for global leadership and transformative action to create a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world for all," he said. ”