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From the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo delivered a bold proposal to reshape global priorities: allocate 1% of military spending to fund the largest reforestation program in history. The initiative would channel $24 billion annually to support six million tree planters in reforesting 15 million hectares—an area four times the size of Denmark or equivalent to Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador combined.
“This initiative would mitigate global warming while restoring social fabric, helping communities rise out of poverty,” Sheinbaum stated during the summit’s session on combating hunger and poverty. “Instead of sowing wars, let us sow peace and life.”
Sheinbaum highlighted Mexico’s own Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life) program as proof that reforestation can drive significant change. This initiative, funded with $1.7 billion annually, supports 439,000 Mexican families and 40,000 families in Central America by providing wages and technical training to plant fruit and timber trees. Over the past six years, this program has reforested over one million hectares with 1.1 billion trees, capturing 30 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
She emphasized that reforestation not only combats climate change but also addresses socio-economic disparities. “This program has shown that with the right investments, we can reduce poverty, curb migration, and restore ecosystems,” she said.
Sheinbaum criticized the rising global expenditure on weapons, which reached $2.4 trillion—nearly triple the growth of the global economy in the last two years. “How can we justify spending more on destruction than on addressing poverty or climate change? It’s an absurdity,” she declared, urging nations to prioritize humanity over conflict.
She also reflected on Mexico’s transformation since 2018 under the principles of Mexican Humanism and a Moral Economy, which prioritize shared prosperity. “We’ve reduced poverty by over nine million people, doubled the minimum wage, and achieved record foreign investment,” Sheinbaum said, showcasing Mexico’s progress as an example of equitable governance.
Addressing the G20 as Mexico’s first female president, Sheinbaum underscored the significance of her leadership. “I didn’t arrive here alone. I represent campesinas, migrants, workers, professionals, grandmothers, daughters, and granddaughters. All Mexican women have reached the nation’s highest office,” she said.
Sheinbaum, who belongs to a generation that fought for democracy and social justice, stressed that Mexico’s peaceful transformation exemplifies the power of collective effort.
During the summit, Sheinbaum met with U.S. President Joseph Biden, Sheinbaum reaffirmed the strong relationship between Mexico and the United States. The two leaders discussed collaboration on migration, security, and economic development, underscoring the importance of maintaining mutual friendship and cooperation.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro has brought together Heads of State and Government from the world’s largest economies to tackle pressing global issues. Hosted at the Museum of Modern Art, the two-day summit runs through November 19, when Brasil will symbolically hand over the forum’s presidency to South Africa. Under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership, Brasil’s presidency has emphasized combating hunger and poverty, promoting sustainable development, and reforming global governance, reasserting its role on the international stage.
A highlight of the summit is the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, a Brazilian-led initiative endorsed by multiple nations and international organizations. The alliance aims to implement effective policies to address global hunger. Additionally, Brasil’s presidency has achieved notable progress in climate and tax reforms. A historic ministerial declaration reaffirms commitment to the Paris Agreement and limits on global warming, while the Rio de Janeiro Declaration on International Tax Cooperation sets the stage for equitable taxation on global wealth.
The summit has drawn leaders such as Joe Biden (USA), Xi Jinping (China), and Emmanuel Macron (France), alongside key figures from international organizations like António Guterres (UN) and Kristalina Georgieva (IMF). Brasil has also extended invitations to leaders from non-member nations and regional organizations, emphasizing inclusivity. The summit culminates a year of diplomacy, solidifying Brasil’s position as a leader in forging consensus on critical global governance issues.
