Lula attacks Trump as US President skips G20 summit? Brazil leader slams rich nations| S Africa

Speaking at the G20, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned austerity, protectionism, and unaddressed inequality as drivers of global instability, calling for a “new economic model” and urgent reforms that place the Global South and climate action at the center of global policymaking. Lula argued that Latin America and the Caribbean cannot achieve sustainable prosperity through military threats or force, and called attention to the unethical, unsustainable debt burden on developing nations, noting that half the world’s population lives in countries spending more on debt service than on health or education. He pressed the G20 to accelerate climate action—since the group is responsible for 77% of global emissions—and to show leadership on decarbonizing the world economy, channeling resources to renewable energy, disaster prevention, food security, and compensation for forest conservation. Lula closed by urging the G20 to lead a fair transition and justice for all, especially through greater multilateralism and investment—especially in Africa and the Global South.