The Mexican Presidency of the G20 Meets with Civil Society Organizations
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, June 16, 2012
• More than 30 representatives from Civil Society Organizations presented their positions and views to the Mexican Presidency of the G20 • The process leading up to the Leaders’ Summit was marked by a sense of openness and willingness to engage in dialogue with members of civil society • The Mexican Government’s decision to protect the Cabo Pulmo nature preserve was recognized by the representatives
This morning, at the G20’s main venue, the Fiesta American Grand Hotel, representatives of civil society organizations and coalitions (CSOs) addressed the Mexican Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) to present their recommendations for the Leaders’ Summit. The Mexican Presidency was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Ferrari Garcia de Alba, and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, Francisco Javier Mayorga Castañeda. Representatives from national and international organizations took part in the meeting as well. For the first time, a representative of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) also attended these discussions, bringing the voice of millions of the world’s indigenous peoples to the G20 leaders. The UNPFII representative thanked Mexico for its support of indigenous causes in international forums and underscored the importance of recognizing indigenous peoples’ right to free determination, identity, and participation based on prior, free and informed consent, and in keeping with international standards on human rights. This meeting marked the continuation of an intense and productive process of information and dialogue between negotiators and representatives of the Mexican Presidency of the G20 and CSOs, in preparation for the Leaders’ Summit in Los Cabos. Specifically, the CSOs helped enrich the G20 development agenda, which this year focused on priorities like food security, funding for infrastructure projects and inclusive green growth, stressing the need to strengthen nutritional security for at risk communities. In particular, the CSOs recognized the Mexican Government’s decision to revoke authorization to build a real-estate project in Cabo Cortes and with this action, protecting the Cabo Pulmo nature preserve in Baja California Sur. In regard to financial inclusion, representatives urged countries to develop national strategies with a focus on clients’ needs, involving underprivileged communities and extending coverage to all citizens. Finally, the need to promote inclusive green growth that would create green jobs, respecting the cultural and biological diversity of each individual, was also emphasized. While addressing the gathering, Minister Espinosa also recognized the concerted effort of various sectors of civil society interested in the G20 agenda, commending them for their willingness to engage in transparent, open and respectful dialogue. The CSOs thus joined discussions with the Mexican Presidency of the G20 and other participants, such as the private sector, youth, think tanks, and others, in order to meet the demands of all the key sectors seeking to bring constructive proposals to the G20 process. Mexico pledged to hear all the voices of national and international civil organizations that can contribute to the Group with constructive and innovative proposals and positions. Mexico views this dialogue as a way to recognize different visions, which may not always coincide, reflecting the position of key social stakeholders. CSO representatives expressed their gratitude to the Mexican Presidency of the G20 for their inclusion and openness, and urged future presidencies of the G20 to strengthen and continue this process.
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