G20 Social Summit calls for institutional reforms that’ll level playing field for developing nations

The G20 Social Summit has called for institutional reforms to global financial rules, norms and practices that will level the playing field for developing nations.

It wants expanded access to long-term financing for sustainable development and targeted financing for vulnerable groups.

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In its declaration handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, the 22 engagement groups also called for affordable and equitable access to digital ecosystems and to play a central role in the Just Energy Transition.

Over the past year, 230 community dialogues were held under the banner of the people’s G20.

The G20 Social Summit declaration said the platform amplified diverse voices and strengthened social cohesion.

Oxfam International executive director Amitabh Behar said the Social Summit has been a beacon of hope in the fight for a just world.

“We look up to the inspiration of the South African government, the Brazilian government, other governments who are going to take this agenda forward. Civil society, the young, the women, the academics, we all need to redouble the effort.”

Ramaphosa said leaders are relying on this summit to guide the G20 agenda to ensure it considers the needs and aspirations of all countries.

“We should not only focus on the leaders’ summit. We should be focusing on the people.”

The Social Summit has also appealed for workers, communities and vulnerable groups to be placed at the core of the just energy transition, recognising the urgent need for universal access to affordable, clean energy as a human right by 2030.

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