2023-12-04 09:50:46
Last Friday, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro began to write another chapter of their stories on the international stage. The country assumed the rotating presidency of the G20, the world’s main forum for cooperation and dialogue, with nations that represent 80% of GDP and 65% of the world’s population.
This date marks the kickoff for the most important event on the calendar, the leaders’ summit, which will be held, by decision of the Federal Government, in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Until then, we will go through a series of events with chancellors, ministers and thousands of members of civil society from the world’s main economies.
Hosting this event and so many other associated events demonstrates Rio de Janeiro’s natural and unequivocal vocation to be a global city – and an important center for global decision-making. This story began more than 30 years ago, when we hosted Rio-92, the largest discussion forum on the environment and climate until then, hosting more than a hundred heads of state.
Subsequently, the city consolidated its position with a forward-thinking strategy, standing out in the World Cup and the Olympics, in addition to dozens of other world events that continue to take place here.
The strategy of President Lula and Mayor Eduardo Paes is clear: defend this legacy and consolidate the brand of Rio and Brazil in the world – in addition to attracting more investments, events, ideas, tourists, opportunities and business to the city.
The G20 Summit should also add another photo to the imagination of the city: the 20 main world leaders gathered at the Museum of Modern Art, at Aterro do Flamengo, with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background.
The summit also inspires us to prepare Rio for the future. We have developed a plan to assume centrality in the knowledge industry and become the innovation capital of Latin America.
To achieve this, we have established partnerships with important centers of academic excellence in Brazil, such as COPPE at UFRJ and the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA). With the Mathematics Olympiads, the Technological Educational Gymnasiums and the Faculty of Mathematics in Porto Maravilha, we will continually attract and train the brightest minds from public schools across the country. Furthermore, to welcome and reach the world, we need to strengthen Galeão International Airport, an essential achievement that has been pursued since the first day of our administration.
Aware of the size of the challenge, Rio City Hall created the Rio G20 Committee to stimulate, promote and coordinate logistical actions that strengthen the city’s role as host and headquarters for major international discussions.
In the next 12 months, we will be the scene of tensions, dreams and possible consensuses – and Rio will make its contribution to agreements for a future of more peace and justice.
Eduardo Cavaliere is a state deputy and municipal secretary of the Civil House of Rio de Janeiro.
Eduardo Cavaliere
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