In his opening remarks to G20 leaders, 84-year-old Saudi ruler King Salman bin Abdulaziz stressed the need for equitable access to tools to combat Covid-19, including vaccines. Trade and climate changeEuropean nations in the G20 will also seek a fresh impetus to the stalled reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), hoping to capitalise on the upcoming change of US administration. The change of US leadership also raises hopes of a more concerted effort at the G20 level to fight climate change. Under Trump, the United States pulled out of the Paris Agreement on fighting climate change, but the decision is likely to be reversed by President-elect Joe Biden. To help finance the fight against climate change, the EU will push for the G20 to agree on common global standards on what constitutes “green” investment.

Source: The Express Tribune November 21, 2020 14:03 UTC