G20 Summit: Do our world leaders care that we are members of one human family?

The 15th meeting of the G20 was held from Saturday 21-Sunday 22 November 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The group meets annually at this international forum for global economic cooperation.

Due to the pandemic, it was held virtually. As Jennifer Bell states, the meeting took place "in the midst of the worst economic downturn the world is witnessing since the Great Depression of the 1930s... to focus on protecting lives and restoring growth by addressing vulnerabilities brought about by the pandemic, and building the foundations for a better future."

As of 2020 G20 membership comprises 19 national governments and the European Union: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Together, the G20 comprises the world's largest and fastest-growing economies...In 2020, Spain, Jordan, Singapore, and Switzerland have also been invited as guest countries" (Bell).

This was the first time that Saudi Arabia held the Presidency of the G20. Saudi Arabia selected the theme, 'Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century For All' . Key areas of focus were: 'Empowering People, by creating the conditions in which all people - especially women and youth - can live, work and thrive'; 'Safeguarding the Planet, by fostering collective efforts to protect our global commons'; and 'Shaping New Frontiers, by adopting long-term and bold strategies to share benefits of innovation and technological advancement'.

Prior to the event, as the UK Guardian reported, there had been "127 online pre-meetings involving academics, city mayors, businessmen and ministers. By one estimate, 17,000 people have been involved in engagement groups. Note that G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meet regularly. And G20 ministerial meetings, e.g. trade, health, employment, agriculture, are organised as necessary.

G20 members account for 85 per cent of the world economy, 75 per cent of global trade, and two-thirds of the world's population, including more than half of the world's poor. Although the G20 may have outreach structures in place for dialogue with countries that are not part of this "inner circle", one wonders if the interests of all truly have a place at the table. However, in our current crisis, it is important that as many as possible make their views known. In 2017 Pope Francis reminded the leaders at the G20 summit of the responsibility they have to care for those not represented at the summit.

That is why from October 13-17 a virtual interfaith forum was organised and leaders from ten different religious traditions continued discussions that had been started in many parts of the world in the lead-up to this forum. Pope Francis's Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship "had a central place in the discussions. 'We must put human dignity back at the center and on that pillar build the alternative social structures we need,' said Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, directly quoting from Fratelli Tutti, the papal encyclical released on October 4.

"Again quoting the pontiff, Moratinos said that the time for 'parallel monologues' is over, and the time has come for a 'constructive and sustainable dialogue.' The critical situation of the world - due to the new coronavirus, the impact of the lockdown on mental health and economies, the rising poverty, unemployment and inequality, are among the things listed by several panelists" (https://cruxnow.com). Those gathered made recommendations relating e.g. to climate change, gender inequality, economic imbalance, poor governance, ethics and spirituality.

Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Vatican's Council for Interreligious Dialogue argued that "believers of different religious traditions can offer valuable contributions to universal fraternity wherever they are...Religious leaders...need to be a contagion of hope. Let us then witness to our religious communities as well as to our societies in which we live: Unity, solidarity and fraternity, for bettering our 'common home,' as Pope Francis is continuously reminding us all,. This is our public responsibility be it political, socio-economical or religious.'"

Sadly, in the virtual meeting of G20 finance ministers on 14 Oct, they failed to cancel the debts of developing countries, in the face of the pandemic - in spite of appeals from international humanitarian aid agencies and campaigners. The UK's former PM, Gordon Brown, stated child mortality crisis is looming as nations struggle to make payments to the west and China.

The world is in turmoil, with countless armed conflicts and wars being waged globally. Global military expenditure stood at US$1.92 trillion in 2019, while thousands die daily of hunger globally. Do our world leaders care that we are members of one human family?

Leela Ramdeen is Chair, Catholic Commission for Social Justice & Archdiocese's Ministry for Migrants and Refugees Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

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