Brazilian and international think tanks, part of the Think20 (T20), one of the official engagement groups of the G20 , have called for strengthened multilateralism to tackle global challenges and reduce disparities among the world's leading economies, the European Union, and Africa.
This Wednesday, at the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, the T20 presented its communiqué—a document encapsulating the group's recommendations—to the sherpas (negotiators) and finance track representatives of the Brazilian G20 presidency. This event marked the formal delivery of their collective insights.
These recommendations stem from extensive discussions over recent months and the analysis of around 300 policy briefs by the six T20 task forces. These task forces align their focus with Brazil's priorities set upon assuming the G20's rotating presidency, which includes combating hunger and poverty, promoting sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental spheres, and reforming global governance structures
Among the key recommendations are political support and commitment to the Global Alliance Against Hunger , set to be launched under the Brazilian term; facilitating affordable financing for climate initiatives and just energy transitions; reforms of the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization; and a firm commitment from the G20 to agendas focused on gender, racial, and ethnic equality.
Unlike other engagement groups, the T20 contributes across multiple themes rather than focusing on a singular issue. This year's discussions are framed within the context of a “poly-crisis,” marked by intertwined geopolitical, socio-environmental, and socio-economic challenges as the world recovers unevenly from the pandemic's impacts.
T20 Brazil is spearheaded by the Applied Economics Research Institute (IPEA), the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), and the Alexandre de Gusmão Foundation (FUNAG). Contributing to the efforts are think tanks from both Brazil and abroad, including notable institutions like Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), the Climate and Society Institute, and the Cipó platform.
Luciana Servo, president of IPEA, highlighted the unique aspect of this year's T20 under the Brazilian presidency by incorporating discussions on ethnic-racial equality. She noted the diverse global participation in the event.
“We had 121 think tanks participating in the task forces and over 170 organizations from both national and international spheres in the T20 councils. This expansive representation covers almost all continents, with significant contributions from countries, particularly in Africa and Latin America,” she said.
José Pio Borges, chairman of CEBRI's board of trustees, emphasized that while the T20's conclusions align with the Brazilian presidency's priorities, they are independently formulated.
Mr. Borges emphasized the importance of governments viewing the challenges of climate change and digital transformation as vital opportunities. “The transition to sustainable energy and the digital transformation are major drivers for future growth, and we must engage in these processes,” he said.
For the first time since its inception in 2012, the T20 has presented its conclusions ahead of the G20 heads of state meeting, aiming to enhance the impact of its recommendations on the upcoming discussions and the final communiqué at the summit scheduled for November 18 and 19 in Rio.
Julia Dias Leite, president of CEBRI, detailed the next steps following the delivery of the communiqué; the institution will focus on disseminating the findings both in Brazil and internationally, ensuring that these discussions continue at other international forums, particularly at COP30 in Pará next year.
“We are planning an extensive outreach from July to September to ensure that our proposals are seriously considered and integrated,” she added.