LIVE: EU's von der Leyen and Costa speak ahead of G20 summit

Key Concepts

• Multilateralism: The principle of cooperation among three or more states for their common good.
• Strategic Autonomy: The ability of a state or bloc to act independently in foreign policy and security matters.
• Rules-Based Trade: International trade governed by established agreements and principles, promoting fairness and predictability.
• Clean Energy Transition: The shift from fossil fuels to renewable and low-emission energy sources.
• Adaptation Financing: Financial support for developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.
• Digital Governance: The regulation and management of digital technologies and their societal implications.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

European Union Pre-G20 Press Conference Summary

This summary details the key points and discussions from the European Union's Pre-G20 press conference, held in Johannesburg. Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Jutta Urpilainen represented the EU, emphasizing its role as a reliable partner in addressing global challenges.

1. EU's Strategic Partnership with Africa and Global Challenges

• Main Topic: The EU's commitment to Africa as a strategic partner and its approach to current global challenges.
• Key Points:
  • The G20 summit in Africa is historic, being the first on African soil and the first with the African Union as a permanent member.
  • The EU acknowledges challenging times marked by wars in Africa and Europe, humanitarian crises in the Middle East, trade tensions, disrupted supply chains, and rising economic concerns, all against the backdrop of climate change, inequality, and poverty.
  • The EU's core message is its presence as a predictable, reliable, and trustworthy partner, emphasizing that global challenges cannot be tackled alone.
  • South Africa's G20 presidency is commended for advancing priorities like solidarity, equality, and sustainable development, which align with EU values.
• Technical Terms:
  • Multipolar world: A global system where power is distributed among multiple states or blocs.
  • International financing architecture: The system of global financial institutions and mechanisms that govern international finance.

2. Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development

• Main Topic: The EU's efforts to reform the international financing architecture and support developing countries.
• Key Points:
  • The EU is taking positive steps to make the international financing architecture more inclusive, efficient, and representative.
  • Emphasis is placed on easing the debt burden that hinders developing countries' investment in their future and improving debt sustainability.
  • Climate Change Impact: Climate change disproportionately affects developing countries, and the EU is committed to leading emission cuts and assisting vulnerable nations in adaptation.
• Data/Statistics: None explicitly mentioned in this section, but the general theme of financial support is highlighted.

3. Critical Minerals and Strategic Autonomy

• Main Topic: The EU's strategy for diversifying supply chains and reducing dependencies on critical minerals.
• Key Points:
  • Diversifying supply chains and reducing dependencies on critical minerals is a priority for the EU.
  • Concentrated production of critical minerals increases geopolitical and economic risks.
  • The EU aims to build strategic autonomy by engaging with diverse global partners and strengthening existing relationships.
  • The G20 is seen as a crucial platform for discussions on development, trade, climate, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence.
• Technical Terms:
  • Strategic Autonomy: The ability of a state or bloc to act independently in foreign policy and security matters.

4. EU's Role in a Multipolar World and Multilateralism

• Main Topic: The EU's commitment to multilateral cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.
• Key Points:
  • The EU will take responsibility as a major economic power in the multipolar world but stresses the need for collective action from G20 members.
  • The world requires more, not less, multilateral cooperation.
  • Quote: To paraphrase Bishop Desmond Tutu, "our commitment to multilateralism is bound up in yours."
  • Multilateralism is presented not as outdated but as the best, perhaps only, defense against disruption, violence, and chaos.
  • South Africa's G20 presidency is praised for putting multilateralism into practice, with commendations for President Ramaphosa and the South African team's work towards an agreed leaders' outcome.
• Key Arguments: The increasing complexity of the global landscape necessitates a stronger commitment to multilateral cooperation.

5. G20 Summit Focus: Trade, Resilience, and a Fair Future

• Main Topic: The three core roundtables of the G20 summit: trade, a resilient world (climate change and energy transition), and a fair and just future (digitalization and AI).
• Key Points:
  • Trade:
    • The EU champions rules-based trade, partnership, openness, and fair competition.
    • The EU has the largest network of free trade agreements globally (44 agreements with 76 partners).
    • Recent agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, and Indonesia are highlighted, with ongoing work on agreements with India, Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and the UAE.
    • A clean trade and investment partnership was concluded with South Africa.
    • The EU advocates for a strong, reformed, and relevant World Trade Organization (WTO).
  • Resilient World (Climate Change & Clean Energy Transition):
    • The EU brings a message of hope and opportunity, focusing on clean energy technologies and transitions.
    • Clean energy transitions are cost-competitive, create jobs, and offer solutions for energy access in developing economies.
    • Focus on solar, wind, geothermal, hydro power, and new low-emission fuels.
    • Imbalance in Investment: Globally, $2 trillion was invested in clean energy last year, but only 2% went to Africa, despite its vast solar potential. This imbalance must be addressed.
    • The EU's Global Gateway initiative allocates 25% of its €300 billion to energy investments in the Global South.
    • The EU aims to be Africa's partner of choice for clean energy.
    • A side event, "Scaling Up Renewables for Africa," will convene governments, investors, and philanthropists.
  • Fair and Just Future (Digital Governance & AI):
    • Discussions will cover digital governance and integrating digitalization into the global economic mainstream.
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is a revolution that must be citizen-centric. Innovation and accountability go hand-in-hand in Europe.
    • The EU is working with G20 partners on AI as a "game-changer for good."
    • AI has strong potential in Africa for optimizing renewable energy grids and predicting natural disasters.
    • The EU is working with partners to establish AI factories in Africa, providing computational power for startups to train and develop AI models.
• Technical Terms:
  • Rules-based trade: International trade governed by established agreements and principles, promoting fairness and predictability.
  • Clean energy transition: The shift from fossil fuels to renewable and low-emission energy sources.
  • Global Gateway initiative: The EU's strategy to boost sustainable and high-quality connections worldwide.
  • Digital governance: The regulation and management of digital technologies and their societal implications.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
• Data/Statistics:
  • EU has 44 free trade agreements with 76 partners.
  • Global clean energy investment in the past year: $2 trillion.
  • Percentage of global clean energy investment going to Africa: 2%.
  • Africa's solar potential: 60% of the world's best.
  • EU's Global Gateway initiative: €300 billion total, with 25% for energy investments in the Global South.

6. Q&A Session: Ukraine Peace Plan, Climate Finance, and EU's Role

• Main Topic: Responses to journalists' questions regarding the Ukraine peace plan, climate finance, and the EU's position on global issues.

  • Ukraine Peace Plan:

    • The EU has not officially received any plans from the US regarding peace in Ukraine and cannot comment at this stage.
    • The EU remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine based on UN Charter principles.
    • The EU has stood by Ukraine from day one, defending UN Charter principles, and working with President Zelensky for a just and lasting peace.
    • The principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" is paramount.
    • The EU will discuss the situation with European leaders and on the sidelines of the G20, and the President will reach out to President Zelensky.
    • Quote: "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."

  • Climate Change and Financing:

    • The EU is committed to its climate targets (2030, 2040, 2050) and is on track for the 2030 target.
    • The EU is not fighting fossil fuels but the emissions from them.
    • The EU has cut emissions by 50% over the last 20 years, primarily through reducing energy emissions.
    • While climate change affects emerging economies, they often possess the resources for clean alternatives.
    • The EU acknowledges the need for more investment in Africa's clean energy transition, citing the imbalance in current investment flows.
    • Climate Finance: The EU is the largest contributor to climate finance, providing €29 billion last year, and is committed to new adaptation and climate finance goals.
    • Key Argument: The EU is committed to its climate goals and is a significant provider of climate finance, but recognizes the need to rebalance investment towards Africa.
    • Data/Statistics:
      • EU emissions cut: 50% over the last 20 years.
      • EU climate finance contribution last year: €29 billion.

  • US Accusations and EU's Presence at G20:

    • The EU is present at the G20 because it works closely with the South African host.
    • South Africa's G20 presidency is praised for raising central issues for global challenges.
    • The EU believes in the multilateral system and upholding international rules on peace, war, trade, economic security, and climate change.
    • The world is plural, requiring engagement with all partners.
    • The EU does not comment on other countries' statements regarding accusations against the host country.

  • EU's Role in Ukraine Conflict and Sanctions:

    • The EU has supported Ukraine from the beginning, contributing over €180 billion to military and budget support.
    • Vladimir Putin's goal to take Kyiv quickly failed due to Ukrainian courage and EU support.
    • Sanctions: 19 sanctions packages have been implemented, which are "biting" and causing difficulties for the Russian economy (soaring inflation, interest rates, overheated war economy).
    • Sanctions are a process of closing loopholes and are ongoing.
    • The EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, as the aggression is against Ukraine and the principles of the UN Charter.
    • Key Argument: The EU's support for Ukraine is unwavering and based on defending fundamental international principles.
    • Data/Statistics:
      • EU contribution to Ukraine support: over €180 billion.
      • Number of EU sanctions packages against Russia: 19.

7. Conclusion

The EU's participation in the Pre-G20 press conference underscored its commitment to multilateralism, strategic partnerships (particularly with Africa), and addressing global challenges through collective action. Key priorities include fostering rules-based trade, accelerating the clean energy transition with a focus on equitable investment, and responsibly navigating the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. The EU reiterated its steadfast support for Ukraine and its commitment to its climate goals, while acknowledging the need for greater international cooperation and financial flows to developing nations.