Asunción, Agencia IP.- The President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, confirmed that he will travel to Brazil on Sunday to participate in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. He stated that Paraguay seeks a more significant international role and emphasizes that the country has much to contribute to the topics under discussion.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for November 18-19, 2024, and will include leaders from the 19 member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. This will be Joe Biden’s last summit as President of the United States.
President Peña will participate by special invitation from the host, Luiz Inácio «Lula» da Silva, with whom the Paraguayan leader has held multiple meetings over the past year.
«As you know, Paraguay is not a G20 member, but it is a great honor and a source of pride to sit at the table with the leaders of the 20 largest economies in the world,» the Paraguayan president said on Friday when asked about his attendance.
He highlighted that the summit will be highly attended and that the debates are expected to be enriching.
In this regard, he pointed out three key issues to be discussed, where Paraguay has much to contribute: «One is ending hunger, and Paraguay has a lot to offer through its experience with plans and programs like Zero Hunger in schools,» he said. This program, promoted by his administration, aims to ensure school meals for over one million children by next year.
Another topic on the G20 agenda is the reform of the global governance system, including major international organizations, which President Peña has consistently criticized at various international forums.
«I am very critical and have expressed this twice at the United Nations General Assembly,» he said.
Indeed, at the assembly this past September, the President argued that it is imperative to redefine how multilateral institutions operate, advocating for «frameworks that promote equitable and sustainable development, where all countries, regardless of size or power, can equally benefit from global progress.»
In line with this more prominent international role sought by Paraguay, Peña emphasized the ongoing candidacy of current Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez to lead the Organization of American States, aiming to secure regional support.
Lastly, Peña highlighted Paraguay’s potential to play a leading role in discussions on energy transition, another topic to be addressed at the G20. He noted that he will showcase the country’s efforts in this area, emphasizing its reliance on renewable energy resources as a cornerstone of its energy strategy.