ERIA Joins G20 Social Summit and Organises High-Level Forum on Disaster Resilience and Global Governance Architecture

Rio de Janeiro, 18 November 2024:The G20 plays a crucial role in advancing global prosperity by addressing complex issues such as food security, disaster risk reduction, energy transitions, financing of public goods, and governance reforms. A key highlight of the G20 Brazil Leaders' Summit was the Social Summit, held from 14-16 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro. This platform aims to amplify the voices of non-governmental stakeholders in G20 decision-making, reflecting Brazil's motto: 'Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.'

As part of the Think 20 and G20 Social initiatives, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), in partnership with the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), organised a high-level forum titled 'Innovative Strategies for Disaster Resilience: Fortifying Global South Economies Through Dynamic Governance Solutions' on 13 November 2024.

The hybrid event at UFRJ featured keynote addresses by Roberto Medronho (Rector of UFRJ), Luciana Servo (President of IPEA), Suresh Reddy (Ambassador of India), and Hidetoshi Nishimura (Supreme Advisor to ERIA). They underscored the importance of disaster resilience, innovative financing models, and community-based resilience-building.

Key Discussions and Insights

Thematic panels focused on topics such as financial architecture, urban systems, and governance frameworks. Notable speakers included:

• Sachin Chaturvedi (RIS-India)
• Yose Rizal (CSIS, Indonesia)
• Pamla Gopal (NEPAD, South Africa)

The discussions highlighted the urgency of fostering South-South cooperation to address the rising frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Speakers advocated for dynamic governance approaches prioritising adaptability, collaboration, and equitable resource allocation.

Moderators Ana Célia Castro (UFRJ) and Venkatachalam Anbumozhi (ERIA) guided interactive sessions where participants stressed the need for innovative governance and disaster resilience strategies.

Community Engagement and Recommendations

On 14 November, panel discussions were held at Mauá Square as part of the G20 Social Summit, involving community-based organisations and young climate resilience champions. While emerging economies in the Global South have achieved significant progress, they remain vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change. Participants called for:

• Comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategies
• Investments in climate adaptation and mitigation
• Inclusive social development policies

By strengthening collaboration across government, civil society, and the private sector, the Global South can overcome challenges and lead in sustainable development.

ERIA's Contributions to the G20 Agenda

ERIA's inputs were featured in various events coordinated between Sherpa and Finance Tracks. Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura and Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi shared Asian perspectives on governance and policies emphasising social, economic, and environmental justice.

Outcomes from the G20 Social Summit are reflected in the G20 Leaders' Declaration (18-19 November 2024), which champions multilateralism, innovation, and dialogue to address global challenges like climate change and disaster resilience. The full declaration is available at https://www.g20.org/en/documents/g20-rio-de-janeiro-leaders-declaration.