Outcomes of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, 28 - 29 June 2019

1             The Global Governance Group (3G) ^[1] takes note of the outcomes of the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit held in Osaka, Japan from 28 to 29 June 2019. The 3G welcomes the G20’s reiteration of its commitment to pursuing strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. We also applaud the G20’s resolve to addressing inequalities and to build a society capable of seizing opportunities, and tackling economic, social and environmental challenges. 

2             The 3G concurs with the assessment by the G20 that while global economic growth appears to be stabilising, growth remains low and risks remain tilted to the downside, including the intensification of trade and geopolitical tensions. The 3G thus welcomes the G20’s commitment to use all policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, and safeguard against downside risks, by stepping up the G20’s dialogue and actions to enhance confidence.

3             The 3G reiterates the importance of an open, rules-based international order for continued peace and prosperity, including through the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The 3G welcomes the G20’s recognition that international trade and investment are important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development. In this regard, the 3G appreciates the G20’s support of the necessary reforms of the WTO to improve its functioning. The 3G further welcomes continued discussions at the WTO on initiatives aimed at strengthening and improving the WTO system and updating its existing rules and disciplines to ensure that it is able to effectively respond to a rapidly changing world.

4             The 3G appreciates the G20’s recognition that health is a prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The 3G welcomes the G20’s reiteration of its commitment to moving towards achieving sustainable universal health coverage (UHC) according to national contexts and priorities. The 3G reiterates its call on the G20 to work closely with the WHO, UN member states and UN agencies, as well as international organisations to drive concerted efforts on UHC.

5             The 3G applauds the G20’s reaffirmation of its resolve to playing a leading role in contributing to the timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). The 3G welcomes the Osaka Update, which underscores the G20’s collective and concrete actions contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and helping to ensure that “no one is left behind”. The 3G also welcomes the G20 Initiative on Human Capital Investment for Sustainable Development to ensure quality education for creating inclusive, resilient and innovative societies. The 3G appreciates the Osaka Comprehensive Accountability Report, which takes stock of the G20’s progress on its development commitments and its outreach efforts towards non-G20 countries and other stakeholders, including the G20’s active engagement of the 3G. The 3G also welcomes progress made on work to follow up on the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) proposals, including on country platforms, and efforts to enhance risk insurance in development finance. The 3G supports continued work on the EPG’s proposals, recognising their multi-year nature.

6             The 3G applauds the adoption of the G20 Implementation Framework on Marine Plastic Litter that aims to significantly reduce pollution by marine plastic litter. The 3G notes the differing approaches among G20 members in addressing climate change.  The 3G reaffirms our commitment to the Paris Agreement, our Paris pledges and the need to advance their implementation, and stands ready to work with the G20 to address this urgent challenge together.

7             The 3G appreciates the outreach efforts undertaken by Japan during its 2019 G20 Presidency, including the briefings to the 3G on its G20 priorities on the sidelines of United Nations meetings in New York in September 2018 and in March 2019. The 3G looks forward to Japan’s further engagement with the United Nations membership on the outcomes of the Osaka Summit. The 3G further looks forward to continuing our constructive engagement with the Saudi Presidency in 2020. The 3G reiterates its position that the United Nations is the only global body with universal participation and clear legitimacy, and calls on the G20 to ensure that its actions complement and strengthen the United Nations system.

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7 AUGUST 2019

1 The 3G comprises the following Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, the Republic of Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.