1030 Acta Apostolicæ Sedis - Commentarium Officiale

It is my hope that a substantial and productive consensus can be achieved

regarding the agenda items. I likewise hope that the assessment of the

results of this consensus will not be restricted to global indices but will

take into account as well real improvements in the living conditions of

poorer families and the reduction of all forms of unacceptable inequality.

I express these hopes in light of the post-2015 Development Agenda to be

approved by the current session of the United Nations Assembly, which

ought to include the vital issues of decent work for all and climate change.

The G20 Summits, which began with the financial crisis of 2008, have

taken place against the terrible backdrop of military conflicts, and this has

resulted in disagreements between the Group's members. It is a reason for

gratitude that those disagreements have not prevented genuine dialogue

within the G20, with regard both to the specific agenda items and to global

security and peace. But more is required. The whole world expects from

the G20 an ever broader agreement which can lead, through the United

Nations legal system, to a definitive halt to the unjust aggression directed

at different religious and ethnic groups, including minorities, in the Middle

East. It should also lead to eliminating the root causes of terrorism, which

has reached proportions hitherto unimaginable; these include poverty, un-

derdevelopment and exclusion. It has become more and more evident that

the solution to this grave problem cannot be a purely military one, but must

also focus on those who in one way or another encourage terrorist groups

through political support, the illegal oil trade or the provision of arms and

technology. There is also a need for education and a heightened awareness

that religion may not be exploited as a means of justifying violence.

These conflicts leave deep scars and result in unbearable humanitarian

situations around the world. I take this opportunity to ask the G20 Member

States to be examples of generosity and solidarity in meeting the many

needs of the victims of these conflicts, and especially of refugees. The situ-

ation in the Middle East has revived debate about the responsibility of the

international community to protect individuals and peoples from extreme

attacks on human rights and a total disregard for humanitarian law. The

international community, and in particular the G20 Member States, should

also give thought to the need to protect citizens of all countries from forms

of aggression that are less evident but equally real and serious. I am referring

specifically to abuses in the financial system such as those transactions that