On 29 January, our Brazilian member OCB System represented the ICA at the Business 20 (B20) opening event. This event was organized by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), in Rio de Janeiro, and counted with the participation of Brazil’s Vice-President, Geraldo Alckmin.
Approximately 300 representatives and leaders from 20 largest economies in the world have participated of this event. Its goal was to inaugurate the technical cooperation actions led by Brazil’s Presidency in the business forum of the G20. Based on the theme “Inclusive growth for a responsible future”, the G20 Brazilian Presidency will focus on fighting poverty and decarbonizing the productive sector.
The event launched over 100 technical and consultive meetings. These exchanges are organised in eight working groups: sustainable food systems & agriculture; energy transition & climate; trade & investment; employment & education; digital transformation; and finance & infrastructure; women, diversity & inclusion in business; and integrity & compliance.
OCB System will represent the international cooperative movement in four of these eight B20 task forces: sustainable food systems & agriculture; energy transition & climate; trade & investment; integrity & compliance; employment & education. Cooperatives’ representatives aim to increase the acknowledgement and recognition of cooperatives as drivers of sustainable development, economic growth, and social cohesion around the world.
“OCB System aims to build a draft proposal to include cooperatives in G20’s recommendations, that will be presented during the G20’s Heads of States and Government Summit, in 17 and 18 November” says OCB’s Coordinator of International Relations, João Marcos Silva Martins.
Alongside the G20, OCB System aims to elevate cooperatives in multilateral organizations, giving visibility to the important role that cooperatives have played in Brazil’s economic growth and social development. Using this strategy, OCB System aims to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem through the defense of adequate public policies and improved capacity building of cooperatives in market actions, especially those connected to the ESG principles.
OCB System has been expanding its relationships with main multilateral organizations. More than a decade ago, Brazilian cooperatives exchanged with cooperatives from the BRICS’ countries. The cooperative movement has also worked in partnership with the UN in actions of technical cooperation and knowledge transfer. Recently, OCB System also assumed a leadership role in representing cooperatives in the UN’s Climate Change Conference COP 28.
Cooperatives are also invited to participate in the C20 Working Groups. Those interested in participating can register here.
About the G20 and B20
The G20 is the multilateral organization that joins the planet’s 19 largest economies, that represent over the 80% of the world’s GDP and one third of the global population. During 2024, Brazil will occupy G20’s rotative presidency, and OCB will have the mission to represent the international cooperative movement in the G20 discussions.
Founded in 1999, the G20 aims at promoting economic and financial integration as well as sustainable development among the world’s main economies. Currently, the G20 is composed by South Africa, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, United States, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom, Russia, and Turkey. The European Union and the African Union are also part of the group.
Established in 2010, the Business 20 (B20) is among the most prominent G20 Engagement Groups. It brings together government and the global business community. In a rotatory basis, the B20 Presidency is occupied by an organization of the productive sector from the country holding the G20 Presidency. This year, the leadership and coordination of B20 is in the hands of the National Confederation of Industry, CNI.
Learn more about the cooperatives’ engagement in the G20 here.
