On the way to a more inclusive and sustainable globalised world

The G20 summit is back in Latin America, a dynamic region that plays a significant role in the global economy. On this note, I would first like to highlight the leadership of President Mauricio Macri and the government of Argentina, as the country presides over the G20 this year.

A decade ago, the leaders of 20 developed and emerging economies showed determination to address the global financial crisis through key policies to restore sustainable economic growth and financial stability. Averting what could have become a devastating global depression, they showed that global challenges are best overcome with collective action.

We must now renew this commitment to global well-being and a sustainable and inclusive future for all, as voices that call for nationalist policies and unilateral actions gain strength.

The priorities set by Argentina’s G20 presidency address this objective. We know, for example, that new technologies are reshaping labour markets, posing challenges, but also giving us new prospects for more inclusive, fair and sustainable development. Nonetheless, technologies alone will not bring about growth and welfare: the G20 members must implement policies to provide their societies with the tools needed to seize these opportunities.

In this regard, Mexico endorses Argentina’s initiative to place education at the core of the G20 agenda. We agree that education, a stand-alone goal, is the cornerstone for more prosperous societies.

This is indeed the principle under which my country undertook an ambitious reform to guarantee quality education for all Mexicans. It focuses on seven areas: strengthening the autonomy of each education centre, enhancing school infrastructure and equipment, enriching teachers’ professional development, improving the elementary and higher education curricula, promoting equity and inclusion in the educational system, fostering the link between schools and the labour markets and undergoing an administrative reform.

Our students have started receiving an education based on this new model. The ultimate goal is to provide each pupil with an education that focuses on developing skills so that they can continue to learn throughout their lifetime, adjusting to the ever-changing technological advances.

The G20 has also provided leadership towards building more resilient economies. It has been an effective platform for coordinating macroeconomic policies and guaranteeing the strength of the world economy and the financial sector.

However, this is not enough. We must reinforce the G20’s legitimacy and accountability, while guaranteeing that the commitments reached in the G20 summits benefit all of our citizens.

One clear and well-tested road is free trade and investment. The G20 must reassert its commitment to a strong, transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system. Mexico will work alongside its partners at the Buenos Aires Summit to ensure that free and open trade remains a pillar of the global economy and a catalyst for inclusive development.

The future of the G20

In these challenging times, the G20 must continue to be a leading force in promoting sound economic governance, sustainable development and inclusive growth. To do so, we must, first, remain committed to dialogue and, second, we must put people’s needs at the centre of our joint actions. When we meet in Buenos Aires, our core objective must be to show our societies that we acknowledge their demands and that we are working together to meet them. This is our obligation, and also a moral imperative.