G20 gather engagement groups to discuss finance and economic development

On July 22, the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) participated in an unprecedented meeting among engagement groups, Deputy Finance Ministers and Deputy Governors of Central Banks from the Group of 20. This group, also referred to as deputies, comprises authorities participating in the G20 Finance Track. The meeting, held in Rio de Janeiro, featured the 13 G20 engagement groups and aimed to present recommendations to the forum’s finance representatives to boost the economic development of member countries. In 2024, the TCU chairs the SAI20, a group composed of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from the G20.

This was the first time that civil society, through engagement groups, was invited to speak at the meeting of Deputy Finance Ministers and Deputy Governors of Central Banks from G20 countries. Representatives from both the Brazilian Council for Economic and Social Development (CDES) and the F20 — a forum that amplifies the voices of Rio’s favelas within the G20 — were also in attendance. The agenda was part of the discussions at the 4th G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.

Auditor Giuseppe de Abreu Antonaci, from the TCU’s Audit Department for Social Security, Welfare and Labour (AudBenefícios), represented the Court and the SAI20 at the meeting. He reinforced the recommendations from the Communiqué adopted last month and emphasized that the SAI20 acknowledges the need for global initiatives to address sustainable development, seek solutions to combat poverty and hunger, and ensure fair and inclusive energy transitions.

“Based on the current scenario and in alignment with the priorities of the Brazilian G20 presidency, the SAI20 has made several recommendations to governments. Among them are improving decision-making through a shared approach to quantify and present structured information on the allocation of funds for climate-related initiatives, as well as implementing systems to effectively measure and monitor multidimensional poverty,” stated Antonaci.

As it is a group historically more resistant to innovations in the discussion format, the meeting between engagement groups and representatives of the Finance Track is a milestone in the Brazilian G20 presidency. “The opportunity to discuss recommendations from Supreme Audit Institutions for combating climate change, hunger, and poverty with G20 finance representatives enhances the work of the SAI20 and the international role of the TCU, which leads the engagement group,” highlighted the auditor.

About SAI20

SAI20 – Supreme Audit Institution Engagement Group of 20 was conceived from the initiative of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) in September 2021. The group supports governments in restoring global economic conditions and developing public policies to improve quality of life worldwide.

Since its creation, the SAI20 has held both virtual and in-person technical meetings to establish commitments, rules, and work agendas. In 2024, two in-person meetings were held in Brazil: the Senior Officials Meeting and the SAI20 Summit. Among the group’s objectives are the sharing of best practices and efforts to address challenges related to poverty, hunger, and climate change.