Press Statement by the Global Governance Group (3G) on the Outcome of the G20 Summit Rome, Italy 30 – 31 October 2021

1        The Global Governance Group (3G)^[1] welcomes the outcome of the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit held in Rome, Italy, from 30 to 31 October 2021. The 3G notes that the G20 had agreed to further strengthen its common response to the pandemic to pave the way for a global recovery, combat climate change, further advance efforts to ensure that the benefits of digitalisation are shared broadly and to reduce inequalities in this area.

2        The 3G further notes the assessment by the G20 that economic recovery remains highly divergent across and within countries due to the possible spread of new variants of COVID-19 and uneven vaccination paces. The 3G thus welcomes the G20’s determination to use all available tools for as long as required to address the adverse consequences of the pandemic, especially on those most impacted. The 3G further supports G20’s affirmation of the importance of an open, fair, equitable, sustainable, non-discriminatory and inclusive rules-based multilateral trade system in restoring growth, job creation and industrial productivity and promoting sustainable development. The 3G also welcomes the G20’s commitment to strengthen the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. 

3        The 3G appreciates the G20’s decision to advance its efforts to ensure timely, equitable and universal access to safe, affordable, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, with particular regard to the needs of low- and middle-income countries. We note that the G20 will reinforce global strategies to support vaccine research, development, production and distribution, including by strengthening supply chains and by expanding and diversifying global vaccine manufacturing capacity. The 3G welcomes the G20’s commitments to refrain from WTO-inconsistent export restrictions and to increase transparency and predictability in vaccine delivery. We appreciate the G20’s support to strengthen the leading and coordination role of an adequately and sustainably funded World Health Organization (WHO), and noted the establishment of a G20 Joint Finance-Health Task Force aimed at enhancing dialogue and global cooperation on issues relating to pandemicprevention, preparedness and response (PPR); promoting the exchange of experiences and best practices; developing coordination arrangements between Finance and Health Ministries, including to address potential financing gaps; promoting collective action; assessing and addressing health emergencies with cross-border impact; and encouraging effective stewardship of resources for pandemic PPR, while adopting a One Health approach.

4        The 3G notes that the G20 remained deeply concerned about the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, especially in developing countries, which has set back progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. We welcome the G20’s reaffirmation of its commitment to a global response to accelerate progress on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and to support a sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery across the world. We further welcome the G20’s commitment to achieving food security and adequate nutrition for all.

5        The 3G appreciates the G20’s commitment to tackle the critical and urgent threat of climate change through the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. As impacts of climate change are experienced more acutely by small- and medium-sized nations, the 3G reiterates the importance of accelerating international cooperation and stands ready to work with the G20 to address this pressing challenge.

6        The 3G appreciates Italy’s active outreach to 3G members during its 2021 G20 Presidency and looks forward to continuing our constructive discussion with the Indonesian Presidency in 2022. The 3G reiterates that the United Nations is the only global body with universal participation and clear legitimacy and calls on the G20 to implement actions that complement and strengthen the UN system.

.    .    .    .    .

30 NOVEMBER 2021

[1] The Global Governance Group (3G) comprises thefollowing Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Viet Nam.