G20 leaders must protect the world’s poorest amidst global turmoil

G20 leaders must ensure that the world’s poorest people are safeguarded as the world responds to global security threats, climate change and the refugee crisis. 

As leaders rightly respond to the horrific events in Paris on 13 November, they must also deliver for the poorest living in extreme poverty and insecurity. The G20’s commitment to align its work with the agenda of the Global Goals to deliver a safer, more prosperous world by 2030 is welcomed by the ONE Campaign, but urgent efforts to respond to the refugee crisis must not be financed through money already promised to the poorest people in the world.

ONE also highlights the urgent need to protect the most vulnerable worldwide from the effects of climate change ahead of the Paris COP next month.

Eloise Todd, Global Policy Director for the ONE Campaign said:

“We know that the poorest are the worst affected by the havoc wreaked by changes to our environment, but they are the least able to respond. That’s why we are calling on leaders attending the COP to make sure that half of the money pledged for climate change goes to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries.

ONE welcomes the focus on providing access to energy for all and the initial focus on Sub Saharan Africa, where, as the G20 recognises, the problem of lack of access is most acute. Progress on energy must also help deliver internet connectivity to the poorest people in the poorest countries.

The G20’s leadership on prioritising new anti-corruption measures through open data is to be praised, but the proposed policies on beneficial ownership and country-by-country reporting must be open to citizens, journalists and NGOs to hold leaders to account.

“Corruption fuels conflict and perpetuates the problem of poverty. Now more than ever we must shine a light on the darkest recesses of global finance. G20 leaders must address the phantom firms that allow the corrupt – in G20 countries and around the world – to steal from the poorest countries.” said Ms Todd

Notes for Editors:

• G20 Leaders met in Antalya, Turkey on 15-16 November to address the challenges facing the world’s economies. Leaders discussed terrorism, the refugee crisis in Europe, the conflict in Syria, as well as the state of the Global Economy, the slowdown in China’s growth and the implications for job creation.
• The G20 is the first major gathering of world leaders since the UN General Assembly in September, where all countries signed up to the Global Goals to end extreme poverty.
• The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, launched at the UN General Assembly in September 2015, will promote transparency and open data to track the new Global Goals.
• ONE is calling for 50% of all climate finance to be allocated to the least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS) prioritising adaptation needs, particularly sustainable agriculture.