Economy Minister Highlights Sustainable Progress At G20 Meeting In Brazil

The Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal F. Alibrahim, concluded his participation in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting held on July 22-24 in Rio de Janeiro, under the Brazilian Presidency. Alibrahim participated in several Development Working Group sessions addressing challenges hindering sustainable progress. He also held bilateral meetings with senior officials from G20 countries to discuss topics of common interest, including enhancing collaboration in various fields.

During a session titled 'Fighting Inequalities and Trilateral Cooperation', Alibrahim highlighted significant global disparities. "Half of the world's population lacks access to essential healthcare services and social protection, and ensuring accessibility to vital public goods is the cornerstone of human capital development, including healthcare, education, housing, social protection and digital connectivity," he stated. He further emphasized that inequality is central to the challenges within sustainable development frameworks.

Alibrahim noted that the gap in opportunities between individuals is a major challenge in improving healthcare and education. He stressed that addressing these disparities is crucial for tackling prominent social issues globally. "Inequality is the core of the challenges we face within the framework of sustainable development, as the gap in opportunities between individuals represents the main challenge in improving health care and education and addressing the most prominent social challenges facing the world today," he added.

In another session titled 'Ensuring Access to Water and Sanitation,' Alibrahim discussed how limited freshwater resources and sanitation services impede human capital development. He pointed out severe health risks such as waterborne illnesses, dehydration, and malnutrition resulting from inadequate water access. "Water inaccessibility also places significant constraints on agriculture, impacting global food security and leading to increased human conflict due to scarcity in resources," he said.

Alibrahim emphasized that water accessibility is not just a policy issue but a basic human right critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He mentioned that current efforts are hindered by fragmented initiatives. "This is not merely a policy concern. It is a basic human right that reflects the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our current efforts to address water accessibility are impeded by fragmented and isolated initiatives," he emphasized.

Global Water Organization Initiative

The Minister highlighted Saudi Arabia's initiative with the Global Water Organization (GWO), headquartered in Riyadh. Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this organization aims to foster global collaboration on water issues. "The organization will serve as the much-needed platform for global collaboration, leveraging our collective strengths to support one another better," Alibrahim said.

He explained that GWO would facilitate knowledge exchange and technical assistance worldwide. This initiative aims to ensure best practices are shared promptly across regions needing them most. "It will facilitate knowledge exchange and technical assistance so that best practices are not confined to specific regions but can promptly be disseminated to those who need it most," he added.

Task Force Against Hunger and Poverty

During the G20 Meeting under Brazilian Presidency, Alibrahim participated in launching the Task Force for a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty by G20 Brazilian Presidency. This initiative aims to accelerate global efforts towards eradicating poverty and hunger.

The Development Working Group was established in 2010 to set G20's agenda for development and poverty reduction. It prioritizes engagement with developing countries, especially low-income nations. Since 2016, it has coordinated all G20 actions towards sustainable development through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Kingdom has been committed to this agenda since its launch in 2015. The group's work aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of fostering international cooperation for sustainable growth.

Alibrahim's participation at these sessions underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to addressing global inequalities and promoting sustainable development through collaborative efforts.

With inputs from SPA