Unlocking the opportunities of the 21st century with a multilateral approach
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For the first time since the inception of the G20, Saudi Arabia will host the leaders of the world’s largest economic powers at the Riyadh Summit later this year. In times of growing mutual interdependence we need to rely on multilateral approaches such as the G20 to realize the opportunities of the 21st century for all.
Holding the G20 presidency offers Saudi Arabia the opportunity to share the perspective of the Middle East and North Africa region. Instilling this regional perspective into the G20 discussion will serve the purpose of making the G20 a truly global forum.
The themes of the Saudi presidency are highly topical and in many ways reflect the breathtaking transformation of the Saudi society and economy guided by the Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia is a young country. Many other countries have a young population as well, in particular in the Middle East and Africa. It is thus fitting that Saudi Arabia has chosen youth empowerment alongside women empowerment as cornerstones of its G20 agenda. Equally important to ensure that the G20 process is inclusive, is strong civil society participation. I am thus especially looking forward to the input provided by the different engagement groups, which will complement the exchanges between the G20-heads of state and government in November 2020.
Germany has long advocated for a prominent place for sustainable development on the G20 agenda. Under the Japanese presidency the G20 committed to a timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We welcome that the Saudi presidency seeks to implement concrete actions to finance the 2030 sustainable development agenda. We feel it is also important to advance the Compact with Africa, initiated under the German G20 presidency, to promote private investment in Africa. On this matter Saudi Arabia and Germany will complement each other: During Germany’s EU Council presidency in the second half of 2020 we are planning an EU-Africa summit in Brussels where we want to take up the views of the African nations regarding the development of their continent in a cooperative spirit.
When I came to this country at the beginning of my diplomatic career 35 years ago, I discovered the reefs and the pristine marine flora and fauna.
Jorg Ranau
Saudi Arabia’s opening towards tourism last year provides new growth opportunities and will create bridges between societies. Saudi Arabia raised the issue of tourism as a force for human-centered economic growth to the G20 Agenda. Saudi Arabia has a unique cultural heritage, its natural treasures are amazing. When I came to this country at the beginning of my diplomatic career 35 years ago, I discovered the reefs and the pristine marine flora and fauna. Coming back to Saudi Arabia, they are still as beautiful as ever. Yet elsewhere in the world significant shares of such reefs, which are the backbone of a substantial part of the world’s marine life, are under threat. Safeguarding our planet is thus becoming more important than ever.
Among the most pressing global challenges is climate change. Fundamentally global in its nature, it is a prime example of an issue that can only be addressed effectively by the international community as a whole. Climate change is linked intrinsically to industrial and consumer activities, and the G20 as the world’s leading industrial nations should therefore assume the associated responsibilities. The G20 summit will take place right after the UN-Climate Conference COP26, and the whole world will be watching to see how we advance in fighting climate change. We should aim for a broad and unequivocal commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and its irreversibility.
At the heart of the G20 are the global economy, trade and finance. Our dynamic markets are connected by trade, and I am convinced that a fair and free, rule-based global trade regime is needed to foster such an environment. That is why we are committed to working together toward the strengthening and modernization of the World Trade Organization as the central pillar of the global trade system. In the field of finance we need to work on fair taxation for the digital economy. And we need to work toward a more level playing field for corporate taxes. This is an area where a solution is due in 2020.
Saudi Arabia hosting the 2020 summit as the first country of the Arab world stands symbolically for the country’s overall opening toward the world. I hope that the discussions at the multitude of ministerial meetings and workshops and finally at the G20 summit will be driven by the same ambition and innovative spirit that characterizes the current Saudi Arabian reform process. Surely this year more than ever, there is the need and the opportunity for a meaningful output by the G20 summit.
• Jorg Ranau is Germany’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
