Press Release
☷Secretary Antony J Blinken At a Press Availability United States Department of State
U.S. Department of State ( By Press Release office)
Feb 23,2024
| 19| 0
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Hey everyone , good afternoon . I just wanted to say how great it is to be here in Brazil – first in Brasília , now here in Rio . And you may know that this year marks the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil , which we ' ll be celebrating throughout the year . It was exactly a year ago when President and President Lula met , and one thing that really stood out was their shared goal of leaving a better future for the next generation . President Lula said it , and President Biden is committed to it . We ' re seeing the United States and Brazil working closely together in so many different areas to achieve that . Yesterday , I had the pleasure of spending time with President Lula in Brasília . I ' m grateful to him for his time and for the great conversation we had . We talked a lot about the common agenda between our countries and our focus on improving the lives of our people . One big issue that we ' re all focused on is climate change , which is the biggest threat to humanity . Both our countries have been leaders in this area . The Amazon rainforest is a crucial resource in fighting carbon emissions and dealing with climate change . President Lula said it best when he was at the White House: "Taking care of the Amazon rainforest is taking care of the planet Earth , and taking care of the planet Earth is taking care of our own survival . " So , the United States is working hand in hand with Brazil to support their efforts in preserving the rainforest and combating deforestation . We ' re providing resources and collaborating with other countries as well . Through organizations like USAID , we ' re actively helping with the management and preservation of the rainforest . In 2025 , Brazil will lead COP30 in Belém , which is a great opportunity to make progress in addressing climate change . We commend Brazil ' s leadership in this area . Another important area where Brazil is leading and where the United States is partnering with them is in addressing food insecurity and global hunger . I ' m really proud of the fact that the United States has invested billions of dollars in recent years to address emergency situations caused by climate change , COVID , and conflicts like Russia ' s aggression against Ukraine . Since 2021 , we ' ve put $17 . 5 billion towards supporting food security globally . But it ' s not just about emergency aid - we ' re also focused on building productive capacity in countries around the world . Working with Brazil , we ' re bringing technologies like artificial intelligence to improve soil quality and crop resilience . This partnership is helping us develop crops that are more efficient , cost - effective , and environmentally friendly . We ' re also collaborating on protecting worker rights and promoting equality and access to education and healthcare . These were key topics in my recent conversation with President Lula and are central to the G20 agenda led by Brazil . So , the main reason for this visit was to attend a meeting with the foreign ministers , led by Foreign Minister Vieira , to prepare the agenda for the G20 leaders ' meeting later this year . Brazil and the United States are working closely together as partners to support and ensure the success of Brazil ' s presidency of the G20 . We are collaborating with Brazil on various issues , such as workers ' rights , climate change , food security , and reforming global institutions . These challenges may seem overwhelming , but the G20 has shown that we can tackle them when we work together . The United States is committed to addressing these challenges and we discussed them in the context of the G20 . Regarding Ukraine , there is a strong desire among the G20 countries for the Russian aggression to end and for peace to be restored . We are also focused on resolving the conflict in Gaza and helping Haiti improve its security situation . Today , we had a meeting with several countries that will contribute to the mission to provide renewed security for Haiti , which was endorsed by the United Nations . Furthermore , we have over a hundred countries that have come together to make a Global Methane Pledge . Methane emissions are a major contributor to global warming , and we aim to reduce them by 30 percent by 2030 . This commitment will have a significant impact . Lastly , we have a global coalition in place to address the emerging issue of synthetic opioids , which have become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 49 . In the United States , it ' s fentanyl , but other countries are also dealing with substances like methamphetamines , ketamine , and tramadol . This is a challenge that requires attention and action from countries worldwide , and it was also discussed at the G20 summit . In addition , the United States , along with other countries , is actively working to bring about positive change in conflict - ridden and insecure areas like Sudan , eastern DRC , Ethiopia , and Somalia . We ' re committed to dealing with insecurity and have a strong agenda for Africa , which I highlighted during my recent visit . But it ' s not just about security . We ' re also forming new coalitions of countries and organizations to tackle shared challenges in innovative ways . One such partnership focuses on investing in infrastructure projects that promote high standards and do not burden countries with debt . We ' re ensuring that workers ' rights , the environment , and transparency are respected in these projects . We ' re actively working on concrete initiatives and providing resources to make them happen . We ' ve got Kenya on board to lead the effort in supporting the Haitian National Police , and today we had a meeting with over a dozen countries who are all contributing or planning to contribute significantly to this mission with personnel , equipment , training , and financial resources . And today alone , we secured an additional $120 million for this cause . We ' re all working together to tackle the issue of irregular migration , which is a huge challenge faced by countries worldwide . It ' s a historic problem , with more people on the move than ever before . But we ' re united in our efforts to address it . Finally , as we ' re tackling issues of peace and security and dealing with global challenges , we also need to invest in and update international institutions that bring us together to address these challenges . This was the main topic of discussion at today ' s G20 session . We need institutions that reflect the world as it is today , not as it was when they were created many years ago . They should be more responsive and effective in meeting the challenges we face . The United States is leading efforts to expand the United Nations Security Council , making it more representative of the current world . We ' re also working to prioritize important emerging issues like artificial intelligence . Our resolution at the United Nations General Assembly aims to ensure the safe and trustworthy use of AI to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals . Additionally , we ' re making international financial institutions more responsive and efficient , providing access to capital and addressing the debt burdens of many countries . We ' re giving emerging markets and developing countries a stronger voice in these institutions . We ' re also mobilizing private capital to ensure it ' s invested in the right places . Through these initiatives , the United States is leading the way in making international institutions more reflective of today ' s world and more effective in addressing its challenges . This is a crucial time for all of us , with an unprecedented complexity and interconnectedness of the challenges we face . It emphasizes the importance of working together , cooperating , coordinating , and communicating more than ever before . The reality is that no single country can effectively tackle these challenges alone . However , when we unite our efforts and focus on common goals , history has shown that there ' s nothing we can ' t achieve . Thank you . MR PATEL: First up , we have Courtney McBride from Bloomberg News . QUESTION: I ' ll try to keep it short and focused , Mr . Secretary . Thanks . Despite all the efforts to isolate Russia , which you recently called the world ' s leading exporter of instability , they ' re still very much involved on the global stage , even participating in this week ' s ministerial meeting . So , how does this complicate our collective response to global challenges , and how did it impact this week ' s meetings? Also , President Biden mentioned that new sanctions will be imposed tomorrow to mark the two - year anniversary of the full - scale invasion of Ukraine and the death of Aleksey Navalny . The Kremlin apparently warned Navalny ' s widow not to return to Russia , and his mother claims that the Russian Government is pressuring her for a secret burial . So , how do we and our allies plan to influence or change Russia ' s behavior when previous sanctions haven ' t had much effect? And have we considered designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism to further influence them? Thanks . SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks , Courtney . So , first off , if you were in the room for the discussions on Russian aggression against Ukraine and the principles that underpin the international system , you would have heard a strong chorus of voices from not just the G7 and G20 countries but many others as well . There ' s a clear consensus on the need to end Russian aggression , restore peace , let Ukrainians decide their own future , and preserve the country ' s territorial integrity . This serves as a reminder to Russia of how the entire world feels about their aggression and the strong desire to see it stop . This is important because it ' s not just an attack on the system ' s principles but also has consequences for countries and people worldwide , such as rising food and energy prices . We have been addressing these issues with increasing effectiveness , including pushing back the Russian navy and regaining access to the Black Sea in Ukraine . QUESTION: I wanted to ask for your personal opinion , not the United States ' , but yours , Mr . Blinken , on President Lula ' s statement comparing the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust . And do you think this kind of statement could spoil or frustrate the Brazilian government ' s plans presented at today ' s G20 , especially the proposed changes in the UN Security Council with Brazil ' s inclusion? Thank you . Of course , we have differences on certain issues and the way we approach them . On this specific question , the comparison of Gaza to the Holocaust , we strongly disagree . But that ' s what friends do . We can have these disagreements , even profound ones , on a particular issue or aspect of an issue and still continue the important work we are doing together . SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks . SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much . First , let me reiterate what I said a few minutes ago . The conversation and exchange with President Lula , on behalf of the United States , could not have been better . I am grateful to him for the time he dedicated to our meeting and the substance of it . Our focus was mainly on the important and powerful common agenda that the United States and Brazil share regarding the challenges we face today , and finding ways to improve the lives of people in Brazil , the United States , and around the world . That was the main topic of our conversation , reflecting the fact that President Lula ' s vision aligns with President Biden ' s vision in many ways . As a representative of President Biden , my goal was to deepen this common approach and find practical ways to advance it . MR PATEL: Let ' s hear from Fernando David with Band TV . Exports through the Black Sea from Ukraine are now higher than they were before the Russian aggression in February 2022 . I think countries around the world are starting to see the impact it ' s having on them , which is another reason why they want it to stop . Stay tuned for new measures and additional sanctions . As for Mr . Navalny , he ' s truly heroic in his life and work . But the fact that Vladimir Putin felt the need to persecute , poison , and imprison one man speaks volumes about Russia ' s weakness under Putin , not its strength . Countries around the world , including in the G20 , were very clear about their thoughts on what happened to Mr . Navalny . QUESTION: Hi , Mr . Secretary . It ' s great to have the chance to talk to you . And also , we ' re all on the same page when it comes to getting hostages out , establishing a longer ceasefire , providing more humanitarian aid , and putting an end to the conflict . That ' s what we talked about and that ' s what we ' re committed to . We ' re dedicated to advancing our common goals , both directly between the United States and Brazil and through Brazil ' s leadership of the G20 . MR PATEL: Let ' s hear from Simon Lewis with Reuters . SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks , Simon . So , first of all , let me clarify that the UN Security Council resolution alone wouldn ' t have resulted in a ceasefire . The real question is how can we effectively move forward and achieve our goals of freeing the hostages , establishing a longer ceasefire , and ultimately ending the conflict . In our view , the best approach is the one we ' re currently taking , which involves intense negotiations for a hostage agreement . I ' m personally involved in this process every single day , along with my colleagues , Bill Burns from the CIA and Brett McGurk , the White House Middle East coordinator . We ' re constantly communicating and working on every aspect of this issue because we believe it ' s the quickest and most effective path to achieving the desired outcome , including for all the G20 members . So , as I mentioned , the Security Council resolution alone wouldn ' t have addressed these concerns . QUESTION: Hey , Secretary Blinken . I want to ask you about the situation in Gaza . Last year at the G20 meetings , you were able to rally support from many G20 members in condemning Russia ' s actions in Ukraine . This year , however , many G20 members are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza , which contradicts your stance since the U . S . had to use a veto at the UN . So , compared to last year , do you feel isolated in your support for Israel and its war? Has it put you in a difficult position? Also , there are ongoing warnings about a humanitarian crisis in Gaza . Issues with deconfliction and looting are preventing aid trucks from reaching those in need . The World Food Programme has even had to halt food deliveries to the north of Gaza , and the UN assessment mission you mentioned hasn ' t happened . What are you doing to address this dire situation? And do you think Israel is truly cooperating with these efforts? Thanks . And yeah , the thing that concerned us about this resolution was twofold . First , it didn ' t mention anything about hostages , which was a pretty big deal . And second , the timing was just terrible because we ' re currently trying to reach an agreement on the hostages and anything that could mess that up is not helpful . We all want to see an end to this conflict as soon as possible and the suffering of innocent people in Gaza . We also want a lasting peace so that this doesn ' t happen again . We ' re all on the same page with that . There may be some differences in tactics and opinions on the Security Council resolution , but we ' re focused on getting results and making a difference . Getting assistance into Gaza has been a challenge , but we ' ve been working on it every day for the past four months . We ' ve made progress , but we still face obstacles . And it ' s not enough to just get the assistance in , it needs to actually get to the people who need it . We ' re working through those obstacles too , like making sure convoys are safe . So basically , we ' re working on improving coordination and making sure aid reaches all the people in need , not just in the south but also in the north of Gaza . We ' re tackling obstacles as they come up and trying to ensure that aid gets to everyone who needs it . We ' re engaging with various parties , including the United Nations , Israeli Government , Egyptians , and Jordanians to make this happen . It ' s a daily effort , and when issues come up , we address them . The goal is to get more aid to more people through more channels . As for the G20 meeting , I didn ' t directly speak with Lavrov , but we all discussed the importance of addressing peace and security issues to achieve the goals of the G20 . I believe that ' s what people expect from us , both those we represent and people all around the world . The G20 , even though it ' s made up of the 20 largest economies , also represents the global majority . So , it ' s important for us to come together and find solutions to divisive geopolitical issues . Thanks , everyone .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
