On Wednesday (5th), Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Luciana Santos participated in the G20 Research and Innovation Ministers’ Meeting in Mumbai, India. Brazil will assume the presidency of the G20, for the first time, on December 1, 2023. In Mumbai, the minister delivered a speech against “technological exclusion” and advocated technology transfer under favorable conditions for developing countries. According to Luciana Santos, the countries that make up the G20 should “consider deeply whether they are moving in the right direction and at the right pace to achieve the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.”
“My impression is that we are still far from fulfilling our commitments. In this sense, during the Brazilian presidency of the G20, we will focus on reducing disparities and disparities, and strive to discuss the issue of open innovation for fair and sustainable development.
Luciana Santos emphasized the importance of deepening the debate on decarbonization of the economy, the energy transition, the right to health, sustainable development in the Amazon region, and the fight against inequality. “We want to count on the active cooperation of G20 partners in the process of building our presidency,” he noted.
Minister Luciana Santos also advocated for the promotion of multilateral cooperation and the use of science diplomacy to address major global challenges. According to her, the international situation characterized by the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts highlighted the fragility of global production and supply chains and increased the dispute over technological dominance.
“In this complex context, we act in a pragmatic way to strengthen our traditional relations and seek new partnerships. By saving Brazil’s leading role in the world, President Lula gives scientific cooperation a special place in his government’s foreign policy.
Bilateral meetings
The minister’s agenda in Mumbai included bilateral meetings with eight countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Indonesia and Turkey. In the meeting with the Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House, Kai Koizumi, on Tuesday (4), the Secretary discussed Brazil’s participation in NASA’s Artemis program for lunar exploration.
G20
Founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, the G-20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation. The group includes 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union . G20 members account for about 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of world trade and about two-thirds of the world’s population. The G20 also includes guest countries.
