Brazil calls for reform of United Nations as it starts its G20 presidency
- Brazil opens G20 meeting in Rio after taking over the rotating G20 presidency in December
- Brazil criticised the ‘paralysis’ of the UN Security Council on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine
Brazil’s foreign minister called for reforms of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions while criticising their inability to prevent global conflicts, as his country kicked off its presidency of the Group of 20 nations.
Mauro Vieira told fellow foreign ministers during opening remarks for a G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday that the UN Security Council has been unable to prevent or halt conflicts such as those playing out in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
“Multilateral institutions are not adequately equipped to deal with current challenges, as demonstrated by the unacceptable paralysis of the Security Council in relation to ongoing conflicts,” Vieira said.
Foreign ministers of the 20 leading rich and developing nations gathered this week to discuss poverty, climate change and heightened global tensions, setting a road map for work to accomplish ahead of a November 18-19 summit in Rio.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has opted not to attend, sending executive foreign vice-minister Ma Zhaoxu instead.
