Brazil is hosting the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Rio de Janeiro, setting a priority agenda focused on combating global hunger amidst a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and the return of President-elect Donald Trump in the United States. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed G20 leaders with a call to address food insecurity, a crisis he described as a “stain that shames humanity.”
The summit arrives at a challenging moment, as world leaders grapple with two ongoing conflicts—one in Ukraine and another in the Middle East—and uncertainty over the future of U.S. foreign policy under Trump, whose “America First” approach is likely to redefine multilateral cooperation.
President Lula, in his opening address, appealed to G20 leaders to take definitive action on food insecurity. His administration has prioritised forming a Global Alliance Against Hunger, aiming to tackle malnutrition through collaborative social programmes and innovative funding mechanisms. Already, 81 nations have reportedly signed on to the initiative, which represents the centrepiece of Lula’s G20 objectives.
While the hunger alliance has gained traction, other Brazilian proposals, including a global tax on the wealthy and a financial framework for a green transition, have faced resistance. Argentina, in particular, has voiced objections to elements of the draft declaration, specifically clauses on taxing the super-rich and promoting gender equality.
According to Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, Brazil’s lead G20 negotiator, the summit’s final declaration is expected to address the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, though any language is likely to be cautious and tempered to avoid fracturing the forum.
Lula’s Diplomatic Approach
Under Lula, Brazil has returned to a nonalignment policy, actively engaging with diverse international partners. This diplomatic approach positioned Brazil as a viable G20 host, with Lula portraying himself as a mediator open to dialogue with all sides. However, his administration’s foreign policy has occasionally stirred controversy; notably, a Brazil-China peace initiative for Ukraine—one that does not call for Russia’s withdrawal—has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Brazilian president also recently attracted diplomatic censure after comparing Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust, an assertion that undermines his role as a mediator. Lula’s nonalignment strategy may provide him with some flexibility, but it also tests his ability to maintain balanced relations amid pressing global issues.
The Influence of Trump’s Return
The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency following his recent electoral victory adds another layer of unpredictability to the summit’s proceedings. Trump’s scepticism towards multilateralism and advocacy of an “America First” agenda are expected to shape Washington’s foreign policy, with potential implications for global cooperation on shared challenges. International relations professor Cristiane Lucena Carneiro noted that Trump’s stance could impede efforts to reach broad agreements on contentious issues.
U.S. President Joe Biden, still in office, has used the summit to highlight his administration’s support for climate initiatives and continued assistance for Ukraine. Biden attended the G20 after visiting Brazil’s Amazon region, where he pledged an additional $50 million to the Amazon Fund, a major conservation effort. He is also expected to announce a historic commitment to the World Bank’s International Development Association fund, aimed at supporting impoverished nations, before Trump’s transition.
The impending shift in U.S. policy has raised concerns among international stakeholders, some of whom may look towards China as a more stable partner under uncertain American leadership. The U.K.’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit, marking the first high-level engagement between the two countries since 2018. Starmer’s outreach signals a potential recalibration of the U.K.-China relationship following years of strained ties.
Absences and Notable Attendees
Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an international arrest warrant, was notably absent from the G20 summit, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attending in his place. The war in Ukraine, while not a primary focus of the summit’s agenda, remains an unavoidable topic, especially as Biden authorised an extension of U.S. military aid to allow Ukraine to target deeper into Russian territory. Meanwhile, reports of North Korean forces reinforcing Russia’s military in Ukraine add further urgency to the evolving situation.
