Several events were held under T20 (Think20) Brazil, where leading think tanks from around the world addressed global issues throughout the year. In addition to the 375 Policy Briefs, the T20 Declaration was shared with the policy makers of G20 members. 

During the T20 process, where global problems and solutions were discussed, think tanks reminded the policy makers of the need to fulfil their commitments. The events held by T20 throughout the year were participated by policy community and centered on measures that can be considered regarding global problems. 

The T20 agenda, which is shaped within the framework of the priorities of the country holding the presidency each year and the issues that were taken on board in previous years, was converged around three main issues put forward by Brazil. The studies and recommendations prepared by T20 members on the steps to be taken in the three areas are combating hunger, poverty and inequality; sustainability, climate change and a fair energy transformation; and global governance reform. Six different Task Forces were established within T20 Brazil pertinent to issues of priority areas. 

Reforming the international financial structure, trade and investments for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and digital transformation were embraced in other task forces and several recommendations were framed and submitted to the attention of the policy community, especially via G20 Finance and Sherpa channels to facilitate their inclusion in the G20 Declaration as joint commitments by G20 members.

Concrete steps were determined with the roadmap

The T20 Summit organized in Rio de Janeiro this year witnessed several innovative initiatives. In addition to the T20 Declaration, a ‘road map’ was prepared for the first time and the feasibility of certain policy recommendations were discussed in a concrete framework. The Road Map aimed to set out the stakeholders, resources and the timelines for the recommendations so they can be better implemented. 

T20 and C20 cooperation

Another important step of the T20 during the Brazilian presidency was the preparation of a Joint Declaration with Civil20 (C20), another engagement group of the G20. This process, called the T20-C20 Convergence Dialogue, enabled the development of new ideas in the fields of economy, environment and digital transformation to be communicated with the policy makers under a policy dialogue. 

International Advisory Council was established

The International Advisory Council, established for the first time this year, aimed to enable think tanks to more effectively coordinate with other national think tanks and to contribute to T20 host institutions. TEPAV was admitted a member of the Council and played an active role and collaborated with several think tanks from other G20 countries and in Turkey. TEPAV experts also contributed to the T20 activities by continuing their contacts with relevant Finance and Sherpa channels.

TEPAV contributed is the fields of international finance and trade

TEPAV was represented at the T20 Summit by Gülbin Şahinbeyoğlu, the Executive Director and Dr. Sait Akman, Director of the Centre for G20 Studies. The Brasilian Sherpa and several other policy makers and bureaucrats participated in the event and evaluated the T20 process in 2024 coordinated by CEBRI, FUNAG and IPEA, the three host institutions of T20 Brazil.

Şahinbeyoğlu, on behalf of TEPAV, took part in the breakout session on Reforming the International Financial Architecture and presented her views on reforming IMF’s lending policy and scaling up of local currency lending by multilateral development banks to create opportunities to hedge currency risks. 

In the session on Trade and Investment for Sustainable Growth Dr. Akman from TEPAV shared his views on the effects of industrial subsidies and national security measures on global trade relations as well as the WTO reform process and the climate-trade linkages.

New chairmanship handed over to South Africa

At the end of the T20 Summit, the new presidency was handed over to the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) acting on behalf of South Africa. 

The T20 Brazil Communique and Implementation Roadmap can be accessed here.