All states must refrain from threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition: G20 declaration
Johannesburg (PTI): In a strong message, the G-20 on Saturday said that all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.
A Declaration, adopted with consensus by the heads of state attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit despite US attempts to stop it, also said that states should develop friendly relations among nations, including by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
The declaration also acknowledged the impact of rising geopolitical and geo-economic competition, saying that solidarity, equality and sustainability are key pillars of inclusive growth. Energy security, climate action and disaster resilience and response were also prominently mentioned in the 39-page document.
In a clear reference to Russia, Israel and Myanmar, without naming them, the declaration said that in line with the UN Charter, "all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state..."
Generally, the adoption of the declaration happens at the end of the Leaders' Summit. This time it happened at the start of the meeting.
"We understand our interconnectedness as a global community of nations and reaffirm our commitment to ensure that no one is left behind through multilateral cooperation, macro policy coordination, global partnerships for sustainable development and solidarity,” the declaration read.
The document acknowledged the impact of rising geopolitical and geo-economic competition and instability, heightened conflicts and wars, and deepening inequality, increasing global economic uncertainty and fragmentation.
“In the face of this challenging political and socio-economic environment, we underscore our belief in multilateral cooperation to collectively address shared challenges,” it said.
The declaration reaffirmed “unwavering commitment to act in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations and its principle of peaceful settlement of disputes.”
Disaster resilience and response came under the spotlight as well in the text.
“We highlight the need to pay special attention to those already disproportionately impacted by disasters and that cannot afford the costs of adaptation, disaster mitigation, preparedness and recovery, in particular, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs),” it said.
With the high level of debt as one of the obstacles to inclusive growth, the declaration said: “In many developing economies, (this) limits their ability to invest in infrastructure, disaster resilience, healthcare, education and other development needs.”
The G20 acknowledged that energy security remains fundamental to national sovereignty, economic development, stability, and global prosperity. “We commend the G20 South Africa Presidency’s Voluntary Energy Security Toolkit as a practical resource for countries to strengthen their national systems.
“The Toolkit has been developed to support countries in adopting integrated approaches to energy technologies and innovation, risk identification, regional interconnectivity, infrastructure resilience, energy deficiency, emergency preparedness, and workforce development, with particular relevance for developing countries.”
The declaration emphasised that sustainable industrialisation is a cornerstone of sustainable development and energy transitions, as it noted the High-Level Voluntary Principles for Sustainable Industrialisation Hubs to support the equitable sharing of the benefits of industrialisation.
It also welcomed the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, which is a voluntary, non-binding blueprint to ensure that critical mineral resources become a driver of prosperity and sustainable development.
On food security, the G20 recognised the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger as it affirmed that political will to create the conditions to expand access and affordability to safe, healthy and nutritious food is needed.
The potential of digital and emerging technologies, including AI, for good and for all; needed to be unlocked and shared equitably, the Declaration said.
The critical role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in driving poverty reduction, economic growth, and development across client countries was acknowledged.
Other major issues highlighted in the declaration include climate change actions; preventing and fighting corruption and enhancing whistleblower protection mechanisms; and supporting migrant workers and refugees.
The declaration lauded the decision to convene the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 as an initiative that provided non-government stakeholders a unique opportunity to voice their views on fundamental issues of the international agenda.
The declaration ended with a reiterated commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation and its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, on the basis of consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all its events, including Summits, in accordance with international obligations.
South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola described the adoption of the declaration as "a great moment", saying this will revolutionise the African continent.
Asked about the US’ stance on not participating and trying to stop the declaration in its absence, Lamola said that the G20 would continue with or without the US.
"The G20 cannot be paralysed on the basis of the absence of someone who was invited. The multilateral platform must function. It has served good since the second World War, so that is the message that South Africa was sending across in all the engagements to say we have to move with the Declaration," he said.
"This G20 is not about the US. It is about all the 21 members of the G20. We are all equal members of the G20. What it means is that we need to take a decision. Those of us who are here have decided this is where the world must go and that is what is going to happen,” Lamola said when asked about how this would affect bilateral relations with the US.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
89 killed as storm, rain batter UP; relief work underway
Lucknow (PTI): At least 89 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain pounded several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner's office.
As the weather changed suddenly on Wednesday evening, many took shelter under trees and flyovers. Clouds of dust enveloped large parts of the state, reducing visibility and ripping hoardings and tin sheds.
High velocity winds also uprooted trees and electric poles, many of which blocked roads, crushed vehicles and damaged houses.
Rescue efforts were launched soon after. Some dug through the debris with bare hands to rescue those trapped while others rushed the injured, including children, to hospitals.
"Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon'ble Chief Minister," the Relief Commissioner's office said in a post on X on Thursday.
It said the chief minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents "with full sensitivity" and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while establishing direct communication with them and extending other necessary help.
ALSO READ: Chhattisgarh: Couple, two grandchildren killed over 'property' dispute; two relatives held
The Relief Commissioner's office said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials and necessary funds are being made available to districts.
Various videos showing the damage caused by the violent storm were shared on social media, but one from Bamiyana village in Bareilly stood out.
The video shows a man being flung nearly 50 ft in the air along with a tin roof by gusts of wind and thrown in a field.
The man had held onto a tin shed to protect himself during the storm.
According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain.
In Bhadohi, at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.
Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas and many houses were damaged in the storm.
In Bhadohi's Rampur, several people fell into the Ganga after the storm damaged a pontoon bridge at the Ganga ghat. All of them were rescued safely.
In Mirzapur's Gaura Pramanpur, too, a pontoon bridge was damaged, cutting off 20 villages.
Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district.
"Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil," he said.
In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapse and lightning strike amid strong winds and rain.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after he was trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area.
He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area.
Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents.
In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents.
Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while sheltering under a tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident.
A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they said.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules.
In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning. Two others were injured in the incident.
In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike.
In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under an uprooted tree.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the loss of lives and damage caused by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning, and directed officials to ensure relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours.
The CM has directed all districts to send updates on storm, rain and lightning-related damage every three hours and asked officials to publicise relief measures, including compensation disbursal, on social media, an official statement said.
According to the statement, reports of human casualties, livestock losses and crop damage have emerged from at least 19 districts, including Barabanki, Bahraich, Kanpur Dehat, Basti, Sambhal, Hardoi and Unnao. Several houses were also damaged due to inclement weather.
Adityanath also instructed the officials to remain alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav termed the loss of lives in the state "extremely saddening".
He urged the government to immediately arrange free and proper treatment for the injured, ensure the supply of food and drinking water, and make temporary accommodation arrangements for those affected.
He also demanded dignified last rites for the deceased and appealed to Samajwadi Party workers in unaffected areas to help those impacted by the storm in every possible manner.
