Boletín informativo del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto de la República Argentina 1 July 20, 2021 SUMMIT OF G20 Solá: “We have the opportunity to create a better economy with less inequality” ARGENTINA - UNITED STATES Bilateral Meeting of Foreign Minister Solá and Secretary of State Antony Blinken Solá at G20 Summit: “We have the opportunity to create a better economy with less inequality” 2 “Today, more than ever, we must strengthen organizations at Palazzo Lanfranchi, the Minister international cooperation and solidarity to achieve highlighted the importance of “preparedness for inclusive and sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery,” and response to health emergencies, based on Foreign Minister Felipe Solá stated during the G20 international solidarity and cooperation” in order to Foreign Affairs and Development Ministerial “prevent future epidemics from becoming new Meeting, held on 29 June in Matera, Italy, one of the global catastrophes.” objectives of which was to discuss ways to strengthen “multilateralism and global governance” “We need a common global growth plan that allows in view of the urgent problems facing the for coordinated fiscal and monetary interventions in international community. order to avoid unequal and unbalanced recovery and that guarantees a more equal future,” Solá Solá referred to the serious social and economic stated during his first address, adding that “we have effects of the pandemic, and advocated “redoubling the opportunity to create a better economy that efforts to guarantee global mass vaccination and produces less carbon, creates less inequality, and promote voluntary licensing agreements that provides digital access and access to new enable the necessary transfer of knowledge and technologies for all. The G20 must work towards technology to produce vaccines on all continents.” that end through specific and shared political He also called on States to mobilize “necessary actions.” financial resources to develop and strengthen critical health infrastructure, especially in During the Summit’s second session, which developing countries.” addressed the health and socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic in Africa, Solá Addressing his counterparts of the G20 nations stressed that “the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and representatives of international and regional the weaknesses of the international system and the persistence of selfish nationalism,” and for that reason “it is necessary to review the There are over forty projects underway in Latin financial and trade conditions that contribute to its America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, in such development,” because “debt reduction initiatives varied fields as post-harvest management, genetics, are still inadequate and not ambitious enough.” biotechnology, quality certification, organic agriculture and rural development,” Solá listed. He also insisted “on the need to decidedly move forward with the agricultural reform process,” “We are important suppliers of healthy, nutritious because “from a trade standpoint, developing and quality food. Our agricultural exports increased counties face distortions in production and trade, during the most uncertain months of the COVID-19 particularly regarding agricultural trade.” pandemic,” the Minister stated after calling for “a rules-based multilateral trade system that is “There is no development or production model that predictable, and the normal operation of global applies to all countries equally. Countries with value chains.” greater responsibility for environmental degradation should provide the economic and technological “Free, open and undistorted agricultural trade is tools to allow developing countries to make their essential to achieve global food security, promote production more sustainable” the Foreign Minister investments and increase food production, stated, adding that “the transition to more particularly in developing countries,” he added. sustainable production models must be gradual and respectful of the methods and times of each In addition to the Ministerial Summit, Foreign country, based on their productive, economic and Minister Solá, joined by the Chief of the Private social situation.” Office of the Foreign Ministry, Guillermo Justo Chaves, held a busy schedule of bilateral meetings The Italian G20 Presidency proposed including this that included meetings with the U.S. Secretary of year a joint Meeting of the Foreign Affairs and State, Antony Blinken, and the German Foreign Development Ministers, which was held in the Minister, Heiko Maas. He also met with his afternoon, and was intended to discuss specific counterparts of Turkey, Mevlüt Cavusoglu; and actions to deal with the emerging food crises and Saudi Arabia, Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud; as well as achieve the Zero Hunger goal by 2030. the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, D. Josep Borrell “Argentina makes permanent efforts to improve Fontelles, among others. 3 the agricultural and livestock production capacities of developing countries through South- South Cooperation. Meeting of Foreign Ministers Solá and Blinken during G20 4 oreign Minister Felipe Solá arrived on 29 June in The officials discussed the global consequences and FMatera, Italy, to participate in the G20 Meeting responses to the pandemic and the temporary nature of Foreign and Development Ministers. At noon, he of flight restrictions as a way to prevent the arrival of held a working meeting for over forty minutes with the the Delta variant in the country. U.S. Secretary of State, Antony John Blinken. Solá also highlighted President Biden’s speech on his During the friendly and constructive meeting, both 100th day in office, which addressed topics such as officials agreed on strengthening mutual trust, further the incentives for economic recovery, jobs and unions. engaging in sincere dialogue on all common matters— including those in which their governments have Both officials discussed the situation in Nicaragua and different views—and facing global and regional shared their concern over the recent events in that challenges. country. They discussed the agenda to fight climate change Solá also explained to his counterpart the market and positively recalled the participation of President access problem for Argentine biodiesel in the United Alberto Fernández, invited by Joseph Biden, in the Stated and questioned countervailing tariffs. Leaders Summit on Climate, organised in April by the Ambassador Argüello noted that this topic is on the United States. Blinken highlighted Argentina’s table, and steps are being taken in order to resume commitment and leadership in the field, with a view to discussions. the next COP 26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The officials also discussed Argentina’s debt and Secretary Blinken told Solá he was aware of The Foreign Minister was joined by the Argentine Argentina’s proposal to the International Monetary Sherpa for the G20 and Ambassador to the United Fund to obtain more flexibility during negotiations. States, Jorge Argüello; the Chief of the Private Office of the Foreign Ministry, Guillermo Justo Chaves, and Finally, Solá provided details about Argentina’s the Argentine Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, vaccination plan, which includes the administration of Roberto Carlés. various vaccines, and welcomed President Biden’s decision to make a donation to face the pandemic, and to include Argentina among recipient countries. Meeting with German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs: cooperation in renewable energy and university education Solá and Maas discussed the potential for cooperation n 29 June, within the context of the G20 Foreign and and partnership in the field of energy, especially aimed Development Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Minister O at the development of renewable energy, and the Felipe Solá held a bilateral meeting with his German many possibilities that Argentina has as green counterpart, Heiko Maas, to discuss the main areas of hydrogen producer, consumer and exporter. In cooperation between Argentina and Germany, addition, Germany’s KfW Development Bank is especially as regards projects in the fields of education, financing companies with investments in clean energy science and technology, and energy. projects in Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza, and agreements for the construction of wind farms in Chubut have Solá valued the strong relationship that Argentina has been executed. with Germany in the field of education, as well as in the fields of science and technology (biomedicine), Both ministers attended the “Future Forum: Argentina Antarctic cooperation and environmental protection. and Germany, energetic bonds and digital He highlighted their collaboration as regards the transformation” virtual conference, organized by the Argentine-German University Centre (CUAA/DAHZ). German embassy in Buenos Aires, an initiative that is The project comprises 24 binational courses of study part of the economic cooperation between both in strategic areas such as renewable energy, nations with a focus on digitalization, industrial geothermal energy, biomedicine, molecular biology, development and a partnership in the field of energy. astrophysics, environmental management, urban planning and mobility, and includes 49 universities (20 Joined by the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Guillermo of which are Argentine and 29 are German) and 34 Justo Chaves, Solá conveyed the Argentine different initiatives. 5 Government’s gratitude