In an increasingly interconnected world facing a myriad of challenges, the recent G20 New Delhi Summit held on September 9 and 10, 2023, stands as a beacon of international collaboration. Hosted by India as the G20 Presidency, this summit welcomed Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and leaders from around the globe to deliberate on critical global issues under the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
The G20 New Delhi Summit saw fruitful discussions on a wide range of pressing matters, including food security, climate and energy, development, health, and digitalization. The result of these deliberations was the issuance of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, encapsulating the essence of the summit’s discussions.
Prime Minister Kishida’s Engagements
Prime Minister Kishida played a prominent role in this summit, contributing to discussions in both Session 1 (“One Earth”) and Session 3 (“One Future”). He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, acknowledging that our world faces a multitude of crises that necessitate collaborative solutions.
In Session 1, the leaders delved into topics such as the global economy, food security, climate and energy, and environmental concerns. It was during this session that many G20 members, including Japan, underscored the significance of upholding the United Nations Charter and working towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The adverse global economic impact resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was also acknowledged, highlighting the need for G20 action to address these repercussions.
Prime Minister Kishida underscored the critical role of the G20 as the premier platform for international economic cooperation, particularly in the face of multiple crises. He shared insights from the G7 Hiroshima Summit, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among a wide array of partners, extending beyond the G7, to tackle global challenges. Prime Minister Kishida’s discussions with Indian Prime Minister Modi focused on the seamless integration of outcomes from the G7 into the G20.
He also drew attention to the economic challenges exacerbated by Russia’s aggression, stressing the importance of implementing economic policies that promote sustainable and inclusive growth while addressing disparities. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for resilient supply chains and corporate governance reform.
In addition, Prime Minister Kishida voiced strong support for a rules-based, free, and fair trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Japan expressed its readiness to cooperate with other nations in the lead-up to the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in the following year.
As 2023 marked the midpoint for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prime Minister Kishida conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the progress. He urged the G20 to take the lead in advancing efforts to attain these goals.
Food security emerged as a significant topic of discussion, with Prime Minister Kishida highlighting the concrete action plan formulated at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. This plan, developed with the participation of invited countries, emphasized initiatives such as the “Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS)” and India’s “Millet and other ancient grains international research initiative (MAHARISHI).” Japan reaffirmed its commitment to building sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems, expressing strong hope for Russia’s return to an international framework under the United Nations to ensure global food security.
Prime Minister Kishida also touched on the importance of the free and open international order based on the rule of law, principles like respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the role of the United Nations Charter. He emphasized the urgent need for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and for Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace. Additionally, he underscored the unacceptability of Russia’s nuclear threat, calling on the international community to send a resolute message of solidarity and provide assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflicts.
Environment and Climate
Addressing environmental concerns, Prime Minister Kishida voiced Japan’s support for Prime Minister Modi’s “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” initiative, aimed at transforming people’s lifestyles. He expressed determination to lead negotiations for a treaty on plastic pollution, aligned with the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision” targeting zero additional plastic pollution by 2040 regarding marine plastic litter.
Climate and energy discussions were pivotal, with Prime Minister Kishida emphasizing the urgency of implementing the Paris Agreement to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. He called on all Parties to commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and peaking global greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, aligning with COP28. He advocated for a transition to a decarbonized economy through inclusive investments without compromising growth and energy security. Prime Minister Kishida stressed the importance of various pathways to achieve the common goal of net-zero emissions, with a focus on national circumstances. Japan pledged to leverage all available technologies and energy sources to drive innovation and support global efforts. Assistance to vulnerable countries and mobilization of $100 billion annually, expected to be achieved this year, were also highlighted.
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Transparency and Responsibility
Regarding the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS)-treated water into the sea from Fukushima, Prime Minister Kishida assured that international standards and safety measures were adhered to, with negligible radiological impact, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He pledged to uphold transparency, involve the IAEA and third-country analytical institutions to objectively assess data, and address concerns based on scientific evidence.
Sessions 2 and 3: “One Family” and “One Future”
In Session 2, discussions centered on inclusive growth, the SDGs, health, and related issues. Participants reiterated the importance of poverty and inequality reduction, SDG acceleration, and pandemic preparedness.
In Session 3, leaders tackled multilateral reforms, digitalization, and other pertinent topics. Prime Minister Kishida underscored the need to reform multilateral systems, especially the United Nations Security Council, with broad recognition that reforms should be urgently promoted. He highlighted the importance of supporting the sustainable growth of developing countries and transparent, fair development finance aligned with international rules.
Health remained a critical focus, with Prime Minister Kishida emphasizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) for future health crises, including efficient funding mechanisms during crises. The delivery of medical countermeasures (MCM) was underscored.
Digital technology discussions recognized its transformative potential and governance challenges. Prime Minister Kishida stressed the importance of data in the digital economy, advocating for “Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT)” and international rule creation. He highlighted the potential of generative AI and the importance of responsible AI governance.
International taxation took center stage, with Prime Minister Kishida calling for the swift opening of a multilateral treaty to prevent trade disputes related to digital services tax and stabilize international taxation. He urged G20 countries to sign this treaty by year-end.
The G20 New Delhi Summit 2023 provided a platform for leaders to engage on pressing global issues, reaffirming their commitment to cooperation and shared values. Prime Minister Kishida’s active participation and Japan’s contributions underscored the summit’s importance in addressing complex global challenges. As the world navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, the G20’s role in fostering international cooperation remains pivotal for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
(Reference1) G20 New Delhi Summit
- Schedule
-Saturday, September 9
Session 1 “One Earth”
Session 2 “One Family”
-Sunday, September 10
Session 3 “One Future” - Participating countries and international organizations
A: G20 member countries
Japan, India (Presidency), Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kindom, United States, European Union
B: Invited countries
Bangladesh, Comoros (African Union (AU) Chair), Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates
C. International organizations
Asian Development Bank (ADB), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Financial Stability Board (FSB), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Solar Alliance (ISA), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations (UN), World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO)
(Reference2) Attached document
G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (English(PDF)
