On July 1st and 2nd, the Casa Firjan in Rio de Janeiro hosted the C20 Brazil Midterm Meeting. This event brought together global civil society organizations, G20 government representatives, and other important authorities. The meeting preceded the submission of recommendations from the 10 thematic working groups aligned with the Brazilian government, addressing issues such as eradicating hunger, climate emergency, gender equality, and inclusive, just, and anti-racist economies, all aiming to promote sustainable development.
The opening session featured Henrique Frota, President of C20 and Executive Director of ABONG; Alessandra Nilo, C20 sherpa and co-founder of Gestos; Simon Vilakazi from the Economic Justice Network of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA); and Janaína Gama, representing Women20.
Brazilian government officials from the Rio de Janeiro City and State governments also participated, including Lucas Padilha from the Municipal Secretariat of the Civil House and member of the Rio G20 Committee; Rosangela Gomes from the State Secretariat for Social Development and Human Rights; Atiliana Brunetto from the Ministry of Women; Carlos Augusto Gadelha from the Ministry of Health; Roberta Cristina Martins from the Ministry of Culture; Gustavo Westmann from the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil; and Ambassador Tatiana Rosito from the Ministry of Finance and G20 Finance Track sherpa.
The first day of the event was divided into two parts and included thematic panels discussing:
– Fair, inclusive, and anti-racist economies;
– eradicating hunger, poverty, and the climate emergency;
– Democracy, access to justice, and civic space.
The second day was dedicated to a closed meeting between the Steering Committee members (comprising the co-facilitators of the Working Groups and the International Advisory Council), Felipe Hees, G20 Brazil sous sherpa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Fabrício Prado from the Social Participation and Diversity Advisory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With the Midterm Meeting concluded, the focus now shifts to continued advocacy through actions such as C20’s involvement in strategic G20 meetings (see the calendar). Henrique Frota, C20 President, highlighted the importance of this phase: “Now, the intensity of work is directed towards political advocacy, engaging in dialogues with G20 actors and other engagement groups, always aiming to incorporate our proposals into the G20 declarations, in the Sherpa and Finance tracks.”
Alessandra Nilo, C20 Brazil sherpa, emphasized the importance of civil society’s alignment and engagement in this process: “This is why it’s important for civil society to be well-aligned and engaged in this advocacy, demonstrating the outcomes of what has been developed as recommendations by the 10 working groups.”
In November, representatives from the G20 countries will meet in Brazil to discuss the global issues debated and recommended by the engagement groups. This meeting represents a significant milestone in the C20 process, which now includes over 2,000 global organizations from 91 countries, reaffirming the importance of active civil society participation in building a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Watch the Midterm Meeting in full: https://www.youtube.com/live/eMMb6vWWDwc?si=mjAlCyN0EommUkwQ
Photos: Maicon Douglas
(You can download the photos here)
Highlights and Quotes
Panel 1 – Fair, Inclusive, and Anti-Racist Economies: Why and for Whom? Moderated by Kamal Ramburuth | Institute for Economic Justice
Carolina Almeida (Geledés – Instituto da Mulher Negra): “Fair economies should be fostered through a broad alliance involving states, local communities, and dialogue with the most impacted groups. The future will be feminist and anti-racist or it will not be.”
Guillermina Alaniz (AIDS Healthcare Foundation): “The climate crisis has a significant impact on healthcare infrastructure. Progress involves controlling and combating infectious diseases. Strengthening health systems includes self-care strategies and basic health services, reducing inequalities.”
Andressa Pellanda (Campanha Nacional pela Educação): “In education, we often see private companies in decision-making spaces instead of organized civil society or governments engaging with society to defend human rights. The practice of dialogue is one of the simplest ways we, as teachers and critical thinkers, can begin to bridge boundaries.”
Patrícia Miranda (Latindadd): “We propose that the G20 support a bilateral debt framework where countries already know to whom and how much they owe. We need debt relief and cancellation to protect countries from economic shocks and natural disasters, along with progressive taxation.”
Panel 2 – Combating Hunger, Poverty, and the Climate Crisis: Urgencies Requiring Immediate Changes. Moderated by Ah Maftuchan | The PRAKARSA (Centre for Welfare Studies)
Mariana Macário (Ação da Cidadania): “One of our group’s main recommendations is that the G20 restrict the growth of food products, especially ultra-processed ones. There is the issue of hunger and obesity, especially among the most vulnerable groups. If we don’t debate state incentives, we won’t tackle this problem.”
Enrique MK (Climate Action Network): “Some changes are happening, but probably not at the speed we desire. The energy transition, for example, encompasses renewable energy, batteries, minerals, and electrification. It’s about people; it’s not just about the demand for oil, gas, and coal. Everything must align with standards and rights.”
Panel 3 – Democracy, Civic Space, and Access to Justice: Essential for Achieving SDGs and Human Rights. Moderated by Sylvia Siqueira Campos | Open Society Foundations
Pedro Perez (Lapin): “Technology can be used to combat existing inequalities and prevent it from reproducing inequalities. Promoting meaningful connectivity means not just providing internet, but also empowering people to make the most of technological access.”
Benjamin Bellegy (Wings): “One of our recommendations is that philanthropy, while not having as large resources as governments or companies, can support new initiatives and serve as a bridge between governments and companies. We need a more favorable legal framework.”
André Amaral (Pacto pela Cidadania): “The anti-corruption proposal we advocate for is transparency, establishing minimum standards for lobbying, so we know who is actually formulating public policies for everyone’s access. It’s not just about defending democracy but defending people.”
Juliane Cintra (co-chair of C20/Ação Educativa/Abong): “The recommendations have faces, territories, and subjectivities. It is not possible to think about the global financial architecture without considering colonialism and the responsibility of the Global North. We need to work with a human rights vision that includes the rights of nature, other worldviews, and other life perspectives.”