"We believe it is necessary to initiate a process of institutional reforms in the global governance system that will pave the way for more representative, pluralistic, transparent and accountable organizational structures, based on shared responsibilities and more inclusive decision-making procedures," said Zacarias da Costa in his speech at the meeting of heads of diplomacy of the G20, the group of the 20 largest economies in the world (19 countries, the European Union and, as of this year, the African Union).
A scenario in which "the incorporation of new permanent and non-permanent members in the [UN] Security Council and the improvement of its working methods would contribute significantly to a paradigm shift," he added.
Zacarias da Costa recalled that the CPLP has "insistently reaffirmed its full support for Brazil's aspiration to a permanent seat in an enlarged Security Council, as well as for the representation of the African and Asian continents as permanent members."
In the opinion of the executive secretary of that organization of Portuguese-speaking countries, there are "significant asymmetries in global governance processes", and emerging and developing countries, particularly those in the global South, are faced with "rules that they have to follow and in the definition of which they were not called to participate".
Therefore, it is necessary to "strengthen the legitimacy of the global governance system, providing it with the necessary and appropriate means to comply with its deliberations", he added.
For the executive secretary of the CPLP, "courageous and decisive structural transformations" are also necessary for the benefit of current and future generations, he indicated.
According to Zacarias da Costa, the CPLP believes that the current context offers "an opportunity to strengthen multilateralism, partnerships and global dialogue on ways to emerge from this situation together, building more resilient, inclusive and equitable societies, which are capable of preventing conflicts and generating solidarity-based responses to challenges".
However, he argued that in this restructuring of global governance it is also important to include civil society organizations, especially those of women and young people, and those of an academic and scientific nature.
Because an effective governance model "will not be complete without recognizing the inclusive contribution of different stakeholders, both public and private, such as civil society organizations, especially those of women and young people, and those of an academic and scientific nature, in building a generalized defense and awareness of global issues, as is the case of the G20 initiative - Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet launched by the Brazilian Presidency of the G20", he stated.
Zacarias da Costa also welcomed the launch by Brazil of the "Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty".
This was the second time that the CPLP participated in a G20 meeting, a group whose rotating presidency was assumed by Brazil for the first time on December 1, 2023, with a one-year term.
The first time that Zacarias da Costa spoke as a representative of the CPLP at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers was at the beginning of this year, in Rio de Janeiro, at the invitation of the Brazilian presidency.
Brazil is one of the nine member states of the CPLP, an organization that includes Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and East Timor.
This meeting of G20 foreign ministers is one of many events taking place this week on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
