Press Statement by the Global Governance Group (3G) on the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, 15 to 16 November 2015

1                    The Global Governance Group (3G)[1] commends the Group of Twenty (G20) under Turkey’s Presidency for its work this year to advance strong, sustainable and balanced growth through collective efforts.  That said, global growth continues to be uneven, and we call on the G20 to take further action to implement structural reforms to increase growth potential, create quality jobs and strengthen global economic recovery.  The forthcoming G20 Summit from 15 to 16 November 2015 in Antalya, Turkey, presents an important opportunity for its members to endorse and implement concrete measures to address these challenges, and we look forward to a positive outcome from that meeting.

2                 The 3G welcomes the G20’s continued efforts to advance work on development, which is a key element in G20’s long-term agenda.  In particular, the Antalya Summit takes place soon after the adoption of the landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by world leaders on 25 September 2015.  As the only global institution with universal membership and unquestioned legitimacy, the United Nations (UN) plays a central role in overseeing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  The 3G reiterates the importance of complementary work between the G20 and the UN in implementing the 2030 Agenda.  In this connection, the 3G welcomes the 2015 Antalya Development Roadmap which details the G20’s commitment to contribute to the 2030 Agenda.  The 3G urges the G20 to strengthen policy coherence on sustainable development across each of the G20 workstreams to better support alignment with the 2030 Agenda.

3                 Turkey’s focus on inclusiveness, implementation and investment, with particular emphasis on the perspectives of low-income developing countries (LIDCs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is important.  The 3G believes that addressing these priorities decisively is critical to meeting the G20 leaders’ commitments of enhancing resilience, buttressing sustainability, strengthening recovery and lifting potential in the global economy.  

4                 The 3G further commends the commitment by the G20 to create quality jobs for all, invest in skills and reduce inequalities to promote inclusive and robust growth.  The 3G urges the full and timely delivery of the commitment to lift the G20’s GDP by at least an additional 2 per cent by 2018.  We also support the G20’s efforts on food security and nutrition, and the Turkish Presidency’s focus on improving global food security, nutrition and the sustainability of food systems.  Energy access is an important global issue, and is a vital factor for achieving sustainable development.  We welcome the G20 Energy Access Action Plan with its special focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, which was adopted by the G20 Energy Ministers at their meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 2015.  We agree that infrastructure development, human resource development and financial inclusion are critical for the development of middle and low-income countries.  The 3G welcomes the G20’s commitment to poverty eradication and development, and to ensure that its actions contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth in low-income and developing countries. 

5                 The 3G continues to support an open, rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  In this connection, the 3G welcomes the G20’s recognition of the importance of a robust and effective WTO that is able to respond to current and future challenges.  The 3G encourages the G20 to reaffirm its commitment to open trade and investment, reducing barriers to trade and resisting protectionism in all forms.  We welcome the commitment by the G20 to implement all the elements of the Bali Package from the WTO 9^th Ministerial Conference in December 2013, and calls on the G20 to push for the achievement of meaningful outcomes at the 10^th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2015. 

6                 The 3G recognises the urgent need for strong and effective action to address climate change, and calls on the G20 to support firm action, including the adoption of a universal and comprehensive agreement at the upcoming 21^st session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP21) in Paris, France, in December 2015, which reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.  This will allow all Parties, big or small, to put forward their best effort at addressing climate change. 

7                 The 3G appreciates Turkey’s leadership of the G20 in 2015, in particular, Turkey’s efforts to build on practices by previous G20 Presidencies in strengthening the G20’s engagement with the UN, relevant regional organisations and non-G20 members, including the 3G – which has submitted two papers, on (i) sustainable development and governance; and (ii) food security and sustainable food systems, to the G20 this year. The 3G welcomes Turkey’s invitation to the UN Secretary-General to attend and participate actively in the Antalya Summit, and highlights the importance of maintaining this practice.  The 3G supports efforts to ensure that non-G20 representatives are included in the G20.  The 3G hopes that the next G20 Presidency, China, will continue to strengthen efforts to enhance the inclusiveness and transparency of the G20, and welcomes the opportunity to engage China in that regard.  The 3G looks forward to Turkey updating the UN membership on the outcomes of the Antalya Summit. 

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12 November 2015

[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.