PRESS RELEASE - 9 th FEBRUARY 2018
ARGENTINA PROMOTES B20 AGENDA IN LONDON
B20 Chair Funes de Rioja was the keynote speaker with economist Mario Blejer at the seminar “B20 Priorities and Challenges” organised at the Argentine Official Residence in London
London, 30th January 2018
After joining president Mauricio Macri`s delegation at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, B20 Chair Daniel Funes de Rioja made a stop in London to promote the B20 agenda among British businesses, chambers, institutions and members of the press.
“It is an honour to have Mr Funes on the first of many events the Embassy has planned in 2018 to promote Argentina`s presidency of the G20”, said Ambassador Carlos Sersale di Cerisano on his introduction. “In order to have British companies investing in Argentina we need them to engage with the B20”, he added.
“Argentina`s recent role in Davos reveals we are integrating to the world as a predictable and stable partner, promoting multilateralism and free-trade. Our G20 presidency is about building consensus for the future. Among countries and amongst people, with crossover issues along our taskforces, including gender, youth, science, think tanks, labour and business”, said Mr Funes.
“Artificial intelligence, robots and technology are changing the labour force. Our agenda is oriented to integrate education, labour market and companies so we can prepare young people for the jobs of the future”, he added.
On his turn, Chris Barton, Director of Multilateral Trade at DIT, approached the audience: “We need you, the private sectors and the companies to get involved and shape the agenda of B20. For the G20 to be a success we need better understanding of how it works, improve communication and increase the reach out to people”.
Mario Blejer, vice-president of Banco Hipotecario and speaker at the event, highlighted that “president Macri understands that G20 is an opportunity for Argentina to return to the world from a position of leadership”. “Things have changed for Argentina in Davos. It used to be 4 of us. This year we had a massive presence. It is important that Mr Macri travelled with a big business delegation, integrated by young and old”, he said.
Discussions on the B20 seminar included also fair trade, inclusive growth, sustainable development, education, jobs, private sector, technology, modern slavery, supply chain, social sustainability and transparency. Panels were integrated by John Hughes, president of the British Argentine Chamber of Commerce; Chris Southworth, General Secretary of ICC; Marcela Manubens, Global Vice President for Social Sustainable Development at Unilever; Kevin Hyland from UK Anti-Slavery; among other institutions and companies.
Late in the afternoon Mr Funes de Rioja met students from the Latin American & Caribbean Center and the Institute of Global Affairs from LSE for a two hour Q&A. On Tuesday, the B20 Chair presented his programme to members of the ICC.