Press Statement by the Global Governance Group (3G) on the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, 5-6 September 2013

1                The Global Governance Group (3G)[1] looks forward to a constructive outcome from the upcoming Group of Twenty (G-20) Summit, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia from 5 to 6 September 2013.  The 3G commends the efforts of the G-20 in addressing the problems facing the global economy and improving financial market conditions.  Nonetheless, we recognize that global growth continues to be weak and unemployment remains high in many countries.  Recovery also remains uneven and is progressing at different speeds.  While progress has been made, further actions are required to make growth strong, sustainable and balanced.  We therefore strongly support the G-20 in implementing ambitious structural reforms to increase growth potential and create jobs.

2                 For the G-20 to fulfill its goals, it will be critical to support strong, sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth, as well as narrow the development gap.  The St. Petersburg Summit will take place at a time where the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is fast approaching.  In this regard, the 3G firmly believes that a new global framework for sustainable development post-2015 needs to be devised.  The 3G emphasises the need for all countries to be fully involved in the development of this framework at the United Nations (UN).  The 3G is looking to the G-20 to make important contributions to meet the challenges of sustainable development while respecting the central role of the UN and the mandates of its agencies.  It is the view of the 3G that the post-2015 development agenda should focus on poverty eradication and sustainable development, coupled with a clear set of goals in order to facilitate practical implementation and consistent monitoring.  The 3G welcomes the G-20’s support for strong post-2015 development outcomes by factoring development considerations into its work on global policy issues.

3                 To restore global growth, a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO) is essential.  Trade is key to economic growth, development and job creation at both the domestic and international levels.  The 3G reaffirms the significance of the successful functioning of the multilateral system, and calls on the G-20 to renew its political commitment to move the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) process forward, including through working to achieve a successful outcome at the 9^th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, capable of acting as a stepping stone towards efforts to conclude the wider DDA in the post-Bali period. 

4                 The 3G further commends and supports the G-20’s efforts in broadening the scope of the employment agenda.  The 3G believes that the focus on growth and jobs will facilitate long-term economic structural reforms.  Related to this, the 3G is receptive to ideas from the G-20 to formulate policy responses to improve the identification of future skills needs in order to bridge skills gaps, to uplift the quality of programmes and to make them accessible to all.  The 3G urges the G-20 to adopt strategic measures, which include increasing equality of opportunities and promoting social protection floors to achieve social inclusivity.  In this regard, the 3G also encourages the G-20 to continue building on various research papers on employment and skills development prepared by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and leverage on its expertise in policy formulation and implementation.           

5                 The 3G appreciates Russia’s efforts to build on practices by previous G-20 Chairs in engaging the broader UN membership and for inviting the 3G to participate in its meetings.  The 3G would also like to make reference to the papers on development and labour that it had submitted to the G-20 earlier this year.  The 3G supports efforts to ensure that non-G-20 representatives are included in the G-20 process in application of the principle of “variable geometry”.  The 3G looks forward to Russia updating the UN membership on the outcome of the Summit.  The 3G hopes that Australia, as the next G-20 chair, will continue and strengthen past efforts to increase the inclusiveness and transparency of the G-20 and looks forward to engaging constructively in that regard.

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

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4 SEPTEMBER 2013