G20 summit should address major concerns of developing nations

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-6-18 16:20:11

Deliberations over a more realistic eurozone rescue plan might dominate the two-day Group of 20 (G20) Los Cabos summit, yet major concerns of the developing world should also be addressed at the world's primary forum for economic cooperation.

Ever since the bubble burst in the US subprime mortgage market five years ago, the world economy has faced rounds after rounds of turmoil. The disturbing eurozone debt crisis now poses a grave threat to both advanced and developing economies.

The upcoming G20 summit, to be held in Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, should discuss the pressing challenges faced by the world economy, especially the ever-escalating sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone, and come up with a credible plan to protect the fragile recovery.

As a matter of fact, the developing nations, especially the emerging economies, have already contributed more than their fair share over the past few years to help the global economy recover.

However, compared to their remarkable and substantial contributions, the developing nations are still underrepresented in many of the world's powerful multinational organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).

It's true that the IMF and the WB have already implemented a number of reforms by expanding quota shares and increasing the voting rights of the developing economies. However, it's also indisputable that the two Bretton Woods institutions are still far from adequately reflecting the economic weight of the developing nations.

The two bodies should further shift quotas and voting rights from the developed nations to the developing ones to reflect the changed global economic landscape and select future organization chiefs based on merit, not on nationality.

Also, ensuring worldwide sustainable development, including jointly protecting the environment and curbing climate change, is also very much in the interest of the developing countries.

While it may be the future trend to promote green growth across the world, the legitimate rights to development for the developing nations should always be safeguarded during the process.

Moreover, as the growing number of trade protectionism practices has already begun to threaten the slipping global free trade, it is hoped that leaders at the G20 summit will come together to make sure that green growth never again be used as an excuse to erect new trade barriers.

Posted in: Europe

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