Allan Rocha de Souza [1] and Luca Schirru [2]

On November 18 and 19, the G20 highest representatives met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when they issued the 2024 conclusive document of the Brazilian Presidency, the Leaders of the G20 Declaration. It was preceded by different sector declarations, of which the Salvador da Bahia Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture is especially relevant and has been commented upon here. 

There was a call for action on three main priorities: “(i) social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty; (ii) sustainable development, energy transitions and climate action; and (iii) the reform of global governance institutions.” (p. 03 – item 13). There are plenty of references to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) of the 2030 Agenda, and the recognition that the actions to reach them are lagging behind. (p.01 – item 03)

“Development” in general was linked to a variety of settings: Agendas, Goals, Frameworks, Cooperation, Trade, Banks, Funds, Policies, Programs and so on. Nonetheless, sustainability and climate are the main focus. And a broad concept of development and high goals guide the concluding remark, when the Leaders affirmed that “(We) remain resolute in our commitment to fighting hunger, poverty, and inequality, promoting sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and reforming global governance.” (p. 22 – item 85)

 There were serious concerns around the uses and social, economic and political effects of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. So much so it earned a chapter of its own. The impacts on labor and workers, gender gap, people in vulnerable situations and the digital divide were central preoccupations, but their worries were also extended to intellectual property, data protection, and privacy: 

 “As AI and other technologies continue to evolve, it is also necessary to bridge digital divides, including halving the gender digital divide by 2030, prioritize the inclusion of people in vulnerable situations in the labor market, as well as ensure fairness, respect for intellectual property, data protection, privacy, and security.” (p. 20 – item 78)

 While the Salvador da Bahia Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture was intense on copyright and AI, the Leaders’ Declaration has been less assertive in its goals, broadly calling for “a strengthened and effective global engagement on the discussion of copyright and related rights in the digital environment and the impacts of AI on copyright right holders.” (p. 08, item 28) 

 Cultural workers were also acknowledged as the G20 Leaders, as they reaffirmed the “commitment to support policies that promote the contribution of those working in the culture, arts and heritage sectors and call on countries to strengthen cooperation and dialogue addressing social and economic rights and artistic freedom, both online and offline.” (p. 08, item 28) 

 Interestingly, IP and labor rights were conjugated to highlight concerns of fair pay and working conditions of cultural workers, as policies that promote their status should be deployed “in accordance with intellectual property rights frameworks and international labor standards, for the enhancement of fair pay and decent working conditions.” (p. 08, item 28).

 While the G20 Leaders’ Declaration approach to IP and cultural rights was less assertive than the Salvador da Bahia Declaration, it underscores the importance of fair policies for cultural workers. With a stronger focus on sustainability and inclusion, it approaches development from multiple angles, tries to foster international cooperation, while reaffirming the commitment to achieving the SDGs. Looking ahead, South Africa holds the G20 Presidency in 2025.

[1] Copyright Professor at the Graduation Program on Public Policy, Strategies and Development (PPED/UFRJ) and the Civil Law and Humanities Department of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (DDHL/ITR/UFRRJ), Brazil. He also teaches Copyright of the IP Specialization Course at Pontifícia Universidade Católica (PUC-RJ). Scientific Director of the Brazilian Copyright Institute (IBDautoral), a copyright consultant at Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), and a lawyer. Contact: allan@rochadesouza.com – ORCID: 0000-0002-6549-0085.

[2] Executive Director and Researcher at the Brazilian Copyright Institute. Postdoctoral researcher at INCC. Copyright Professor at the Specialization Program on Intellectual Property Law at PUC-RJ. Lawyer. Contact: luca.schirru@ibdautoral.org.br – ORCID: 0000-0002-4706-3776.