Dmitry Stasyulis, IOEC President, Sherpa of Russia in Civil 20
November 14–16, 2024, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) hosted the G20 Social Summit, which I attended as Russia’s Sherpa in the Civil 20. The Social Summit is a new G20 format, unique in its own way, i.e. a meeting of G20 civil society representatives.
The Summit brought together some 50,000 participants to engage in an open dialogue on the current challenges: poverty and inequality, food and economic instability, cli-mate change, global governance reform and other pressing issues. Organisers attached particular importance to the G20 Social Summit, as testified by its level of representation—the opening ceremony was attended by Brazil’s First Lady Rosânge-la Lula da Silva, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency Márcio Macêdo, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes, and other officials.
The Summit brought together some 50,000 participants to engage in an open dialogue on the current challenges: poverty and inequality, food and economic instability, cli-mate change, global governance reform and other pressing issues. Organisers attached particular importance to the G20 Social Summit, as testified by its level of representation—the opening ceremony was attended by Brazil’s First Lady Rosânge-la Lula da Silva, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency Márcio Macêdo, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes, and other officials.
In my speech on 15 November, I addressed the plenary session of the Social Summit on the reform of global governance, and voiced my support for the Brazilian Presidency’s efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty and to counter inequality and discrimination. I strongly believe that reforming global governance institutions, such as WTO, IMF and the World Bank, must be matched with addressing discrimination in access to resources, including funds.
What we need are valid tools to tackle the challenges, not just engagement in futile exercise time and again. Traditional values and the family institution must be protected and promoted, which should serve as the basis for the harmonious development It is heartwarming to note that the delegates welcomed my statement with enormous attention.
Our stance in favour of traditional values was echoed by participants from all across the world. The outcome document refers to the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality; sustain-able development, climate change and a just energy transition; and reform of global governance.
But speaking is not enough, we must be heard. And the Social Summit participants did succeed in doing so— on 16 November, I attended the Handover Ceremony of the Summit’s final declaration to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
What we need are valid tools to tackle the challenges, not just engagement in futile exercise time and again. Traditional values and the family institution must be protected and promoted, which should serve as the basis for the harmonious development It is heartwarming to note that the delegates welcomed my statement with enormous attention.
Our stance in favour of traditional values was echoed by participants from all across the world. The outcome document refers to the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality; sustain-able development, climate change and a just energy transition; and reform of global governance.
But speaking is not enough, we must be heard. And the Social Summit participants did succeed in doing so— on 16 November, I attended the Handover Ceremony of the Summit’s final declaration to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
We know that the voice of civil society and our views will be heard by Heads of States and taken into account in global political decision-making. Events of suchscale as the Social Summit are also a venue for bilateral contacts “on the margins,” discussing cooperation both within the civil society and in business and entrepreneurship.
As IOEC President, I held talks with Mohammed Al Saud, the representative of Saudi Arabia and the King Khalid Foundation at the Summit. We focused on developing cooperation with Arab partners and joint initiatives.
During the meeting with Masotsha Mnguni, representative of South Africa to the G20, not only did we touch upon bi-lateral ties, but also talked about plans for the South African G20 Presidency in 2025.
Vital meetings held with Andrei Petrov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Rio de Janeiro, and with Gilberto Ramos, Chairman of the Bra-zil-Russia Chamber of Commerce, resulted in an agreement on cooperation and interaction, which covers a set of practical steps to create a transparent technological infrastructure accessible to entrepreneurs in both countries. of an open, equal civil society and the emergence of a just, multipolar world.
The G20 Social Summit has come to an end, but there is yet a lot to be done—our task is to ensure that the initiatives of civil society leaders are implemented and gain a practical, rather than a declarative, value.
The tools of a multipolar world are meant to promote interstate relations not only at the governmental level, but also among representatives of NGOs and businesses. And the contribution of opinion leaders to the common endeavour can hardly be overestimated—the Social Summit in Brazil proved that their position is essential, meaningful and valuable for global decision-making.
As IOEC President, I held talks with Mohammed Al Saud, the representative of Saudi Arabia and the King Khalid Foundation at the Summit. We focused on developing cooperation with Arab partners and joint initiatives.
During the meeting with Masotsha Mnguni, representative of South Africa to the G20, not only did we touch upon bi-lateral ties, but also talked about plans for the South African G20 Presidency in 2025.
Vital meetings held with Andrei Petrov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Rio de Janeiro, and with Gilberto Ramos, Chairman of the Bra-zil-Russia Chamber of Commerce, resulted in an agreement on cooperation and interaction, which covers a set of practical steps to create a transparent technological infrastructure accessible to entrepreneurs in both countries. of an open, equal civil society and the emergence of a just, multipolar world.
The G20 Social Summit has come to an end, but there is yet a lot to be done—our task is to ensure that the initiatives of civil society leaders are implemented and gain a practical, rather than a declarative, value.
The tools of a multipolar world are meant to promote interstate relations not only at the governmental level, but also among representatives of NGOs and businesses. And the contribution of opinion leaders to the common endeavour can hardly be overestimated—the Social Summit in Brazil proved that their position is essential, meaningful and valuable for global decision-making.
