1. The second G20 Sherpas Meeting of 2024, hosted by Brazil, the Presidency for this year, was held virtually from April 3 (Wednesday) to 5 (Friday). Approximately 80 participants, including representatives from a total of 21 G20 member countries, 8 invited countries, and 12 invited international organizations, attended the meeting. The Republic of Korea was represented by G20 Sherpa, Ambassador for International Cooperation on G20 Affairs, Song In-chang.

2. At this meeting, the participants reviewed progress in discussions within each G20 working group on key areas of the Presidency, including fight against hunger and poverty, response to climate change, energy transition and bioeconomy. There was also an active exchange of opinions among countries regarding issues that they individually prioritize.

3. The Brazilian Presidency explained that discussions within the G20 working groups proceeded smoothly, and focused primarily on the three priorities : ⅰ) social inclusion and fight against hunger and poverty, ⅱ) energy transition and sustainable development and ⅲ) global governance reform.

4. Ambassador Song reiterated Korea's commitment to actively cooperating for the success of G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit, emphasizing the expansion of the 'Carbon Free Energy (CFE) Initiative' proposed by Korea and the conclusion of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. In addition, Ambassador Song highlighted inclusive digital transformation and discussions for establishing global AI governance through initiatives including the 'AI Seoul Summit', while recalling the need for revitalizing and reforming the WTO, which is the foundation of the multilateral trading system.

5. The majority of participating countries believed that both this year and the next year are important in terms of international efforts to respond to climate change and that strengthening discussions in the G20 convergence is important to bolster momentum for achieving carbon neutrality within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Furthermore, there was convergence of view on the necessity of restoring a free and multilateral trading system for stable growth and development in the global macroeconomy. The participants also shared the view on the urgent need for reforming the WTO and restoring dispute resolution system to this end.

6. Additionally, participants also shared the view on: ⅰ) close linkage between the improvement of global food insecurity and disruptions in supply chains and the effort to eradicate poverty and hunger, ⅱ) need for the international community to minimize inter-country and intra-country disparities and exclusions in processes such as energy transition, digitalization, and AI technology development, and ⅲ) importance of inclusive participation and access by diverse stakeholders, including women, in all discussions within the G20 framework.

7. The upcoming third G20 Sherpas Meeting is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 3 (Wednesday) to 5 (Friday). During the meeting, participants are expected to have more concrete discussions aimed at enhancing the substantive outcomes of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit scheduled for this November. Particularly, the third Sherpas Meeting is set to include sessions to gather opinions from G20 engagement groups, which participate in G20 discussions across various sectors in civil society. The Brazilian Presidency intends to use this opportunity to explore possible deliverables of the G20 Social Summit and the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit, both scheduled for November this year. The Korean government will constructively participate in all relevant discussions to be held in the upcoming meetings.