Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the Government and people of Australia for hosting this gathering of global leaders at this critical moment in international affairs.

The world faces serious security, developmental and environmental challenges. Pressures on people and the planet are building. The G-20 countries possess not only the political power to set us on a better course, but a political responsibility to do so.

I would like to highlight the need for action in three critical areas:

First, promoting inclusive growth and decent jobs. The determination of the G20 to raise growth by more than 2 per cent in the next five years is a step in the right direction. But the quality of growth is just as important as its quantity. We must pursue an agenda that advances sustainability, addresses inequalities and generates decent jobs, especially for young people. Next year’s UN Summit will provide the opportunity to adopt such an agenda, including an ambitious set of sustainable development goals.

Second, meeting the climate challenge. I commend the announcement by the United States and China of their post-2020 climate action, which comes on the heels of Europe’s decision on emission reduction targets. The transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future is accelerating. I urge other leaders and major economies, especially among the G20, to come forward with contributions that will sustain this momentum.

The world also looks to the G20 to lead on climate finance. I urge G20 countries to make ambitious pledges towards the capitalization of the Green Climate Fund at next week’s pledging conference in Berlin.

As the latest IPCC report tells us, we must act quickly and decisively if we want to avoid increasingly destructive outcomes – but we also have the means to limit climate change and build a better future.

Third, providing financing for sustainable development. The growth and sustainable development agendas depend on financing – public, private, domestic and international. I call on the G20 to continue its efforts to reform the global financial system, strengthen tax systems, fight corruption and reaffirm their commitment to meeting the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income for official development assistance. I look forward to active G20 engagement at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Addis Ababa in July.

I would also like to stress the need to intensify the international response to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. I thank the health-workers on the frontlines and the countries that are making life-saving contributions.

I particularly want to thank our hosts. The government of Australia was one of the first to contribute to the United Nations trust fund set up to combat ebola in West Africa.

Also, a few days ago a further contribution was announced Prime Minister Abbott’s government that includes funding for 100-bed Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone as well as an additional contribution to the United Nations Ebola response. This is all very much appreciated.

The rate of new cases is showing signs of slowing in some of the hardest-hit parts of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. But as rates decline in one area, they are rising in others. Transmission continues to outpace the response. I urge the G-20 to step up so that we can meet the 70/70 goal: isolating and treating 70 per cent of all Ebola cases and providing safe and dignified burials to 70 per cent of those who have died. We must also address the secondary impacts on healthcare, education and soaring food prices caused by a disruption in farming that could provoke a major food crisis affecting 1 million people across the region.

Finally, the war in Syria continues to destabilize a wide area and cause immense humanitarian suffering. In Syria, Iraq and northern Nigeria, extremist groups control territory larger than that of many countries. Unilateral steps are making a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seem more elusive than ever. And in the heart of Europe, the Ukraine conflict has raised fear of Cold War-style divisions that can impede our collective efforts to solve problems.

Across these arcs of crisis, we need more determined steps to end grave abuses of human rights, resolve the conflicts and address the underlying sources of instability.

The G-20 has helped the global economy weather the storms of recent years. Here in Brisbane, G-20 leaders have an opportunity to show leadership in fostering sustainable economies and building prosperous, just, inclusive and resilient societies for all.

Thank you.