At G7, Brazilian President calls for respect of sovereignty in global fight against crime
Sao Paulo, June 17
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday called for a coordinated global response to organised crime that respects national sovereignty, while urging world leaders to address widening inequality and reform international development frameworks during an expanded G7 meeting in Évian, France.
Speaking during the session titled "Establishing New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity," Lula said the fight against transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering and arms smuggling must be linked to the broader global development agenda. He argued that organised crime drains resources that should be invested in essential services, including education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Lula welcomed the G7 Leaders' Declaration on Combating Drug Trafficking but stressed that narcotics-related crimes cannot be addressed in isolation. "But the fight against drug trafficking cannot be separated from other illegal activities such as money laundering and arms trafficking," he said. The Brazilian leader also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and institutions such as INTERPOL in tracking criminal networks and illicit assets, as reported by Brasil 247.
The president used the platform to criticise rising protectionism and unilateralism, warning that such approaches fail to address complex global challenges. He argued that economic inequality between developed and developing nations continues to widen and said the world is moving away from the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Lula noted that an estimated US$4 trillion annually is required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and called for climate finance to be expanded to at least US$1.3 trillion. He also pointed to declining international aid, citing reductions in funding for organisations such as the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Highlighting Brazil's initiatives, including the Tropical Forests Forever Fund and the Global Alliance Against Hunger, Lula advocated greater access to artificial intelligence and advanced technologies for developing countries. He also argued that nations rich in critical minerals should benefit from industrialisation, technology transfer and value-added production rather than remaining suppliers of raw materials.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's refreshing to hear a developing nation perspective at G7. Lula's call for technology transfer and value-added production for mineral-rich countries makes sense – why should they just export raw materials while others profit? The world needs more balanced partnerships, not exploitation.
Lula raises valid points about sovereignty, but let's be honest – organised crime doesn't respect borders. Countries like India and Brazil need to cooperate more practically, not just talk. The $4 trillion SDG funding gap is staggering; we need concrete commitments, not speeches. Good start, but action needed now.
Very impressed by Lula's emphasis on AI and technology access for developing countries. India's digital public infrastructure shows what's possible when technology serves the people. But the West must stop hoarding tech patents and calling it "intellectual property" – that's just a fancy word for inequality. 🙏
Love the vision but the devil's in the details. Lula criticises protectionism while Brazil itself has high tariffs. And linking crime to development is smart, but organised crime in Latin America is tied to corrupt officials – something he didn't mention. Still, a much-needed voice for the Global South.
As an Indian, I see so much resonance with our challenges. The Tropical Forests Forever Fund and Global Alliance Against Hunger are exactly the kind of initiatives we need more of. But can we please stop the hypocrisy where developed nations cut WHO funding while lecturing us on health? 😤
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