Macron, Merkel and Johnson: “Draghi’s G20 a success, now Cop26 can be too”

ROME. One of the strong themes of this G20 in Rome was certainly the debate on the climate, for which Italy has spent a lot, as the French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged, at a press conference in Rome, in view of the Glasgow summit which it will be co-chaired by our country: «I thank President Mattarella for his words on multilateralism, the Roman people for the welcome and above all Prime Minister Mario Draghi for the organization. I really think that this G20 has been a success for the concrete results “it has brought. On the climate, the French president continued, “it could have been worse, the signs were pointing in this direction. Now we are able to make Cop26 another success ».

Along the same lines is the outgoing German Chancellor, Angela Merkel: the conclusions of the G20 on the climate are “a good sign”, underlining that for the first time since 2016 the main industrialized economies of the world and the EU have all committed themselves to the Agreements Paris. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins the cautious optimists: “I think the chances of success are 6 to 10” but it will be “very difficult”. Johnson then said that “reasonable progress” has been achieved in the wake of the efforts of the Italian presidency and Mario Draghi. “Some progress has been made at the G20,” he added, but the commitments made among the top 20 in Rome are “drops in a rapidly warming ocean.” So, at the moment the Paris Agreement and the hope that came with it are just a piece of paper. We have to fill that piece of paper with real progress. ” The goal of containing global warming by 1.5 degrees more “remains in the balance”, “for the moment we are not there”. Finally, Johnson, replying to a journalist, said he “agreed” that the reference to the commitment to reach the zero emissions target “by or around the middle of the century”, as written in the G20 communiqué, is still too vague. . There are countries that have pledged to do so “by 2060 or earlier”.

Still on the climate, Chinese President Xi Jinping today called for efforts to be made to fully and effectively implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Xi made these observations during his speech, via video link from Beijing. The president emphasized supporting the role of the UN as the main channel, following the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, respecting international law, with an action-oriented approach. The latter also emphasized the importance of taking stronger action and improving cooperation. Instead, on the sidelines of the G20, Draghi met the Chinese state councilor and foreign minister, Wang Yi. Palazzo Chigi communicates it. The conversation focused on the prospects of bilateral collaboration, on relations between the EU and China, on the opportunity to restart the dialogue on human rights. Major multilateral and regional issues were also addressed, in particular stability and security in the Indo-Pacific area and the crisis in Afghanistan.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted at the press conference, smiling that relations with Prime Minister Mario Draghi are “very positive” and thanked the Italian presidency of the G20: “I would like to personally thank them for their kind hospitality towards my wife and the delegation”. And in this climate of great harmony there is also the tweet of the President of the European Council Charles Michel: «At the G20 in Rome we confirmed our historic support for the reform of global taxation. An important step towards a fairer world. We must now ensure that the new rules come into force globally quickly. ‘

In the final declaration adopted by the G20, emphasis was placed on the Covid-19 pandemic which “has exacerbated inequalities in our labor markets, disproportionately affecting vulnerable workers. In partnership with social partners, we will take human-centered policy approaches to promote social dialogue and ensure greater social justice, safe and healthy working conditions and decent work for all, including within global supply chains. To reduce inequalities, eradicate poverty, support workers’ transitions and reintegration into labor markets and to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, we will strengthen our social protection systems ”.