G20 countries must do everything to overcome disagreement / Article

Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies gathered in Rome today for the first G20 summit in person since the pandemic began. Although Russia and China are represented at the level of foreign ministers, the presidents have not arrived, joining instead via video. The G20 includes 19 countries and the European Union.

Climate change, economic recovery, vaccines for developing countries and the intention to introduce a minimum corporate tax rate globally are among the topics to be discussed at the summit.

“From pandemic to climate change and fair taxation. Going this route alone is simply not the answer.

We must do everything we can to overcome our differences. And we need to restore the spirit that led to the creation of this group, “said Italian Prime Minister Mario Dragi at the opening of the summit.

The Italian Prime Minister also used the opening speech of the summit to call for a redoubled effort to supply vaccines against the poorest countries in Covid-19. He emphasized that in rich countries 70% of the population is already vaccinated, while in the poorest – only 3%.

The politicians gathered at the summit are leading countries that together account for 80% of the world economy and account for about the same share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Italy, the host of the meeting, is therefore putting special emphasis on climate issues: the leaders will go to the UN climate summit in Glasgow immediately after the G20 meeting in Rome.

As usual, the G20 summits are accompanied by demonstrations. A group of climate activists this morning blocked the way to the meeting venue, demanding action to stop climate change. Police later moved the activists to a nearby crossroads, where they continued the rally. More than five thousand police officers and soldiers have been seconded to Rome for the duration of the summit.

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