World leaders gathered at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro for the Group of 20 summit, where discussions centered on poverty and war. President Biden acknowledged that this was likely his last attendance at such a high-profile meeting, urging continued progress among the leaders.
As the summit progressed, leaders engaged in various activities, while Mr. Biden conversed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, he missed the customary group photograph, as he arrived late to the platform where other leaders had already departed.
This summit represented one of President Biden's final opportunities to advocate for his global vision, amidst the transition to the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. He appeared reflective during interactions with both allies and rivals, maintaining a position slightly behind his peers.
The late arrival for the group photo was attributed to logistical issues, marking a pattern in Mr. Biden's attendance; previously, at an Asia-Pacific economic meeting in Lima, Peru, he delayed others on stage for five minutes before joining them.
At the summit, President Biden shared the stage with Xi Jinping, the president of China, who took a prominent position. A significant moment of the trip included a private meeting where the two leaders discussed pressing issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and economic competition. They also shared light-hearted moments, showcasing a rapport developed over years of interaction.
During the summit, Mr. Biden briefly addressed questions about cooperation with China regarding North Korea, stating he would approach the matter “peacefully” before entering his meeting with Xi. After their discussion, they reflected on their long-standing relationship.
On a subsequent day, Mr. Biden participated in an Indigenous ceremony in the Brazilian Amazon, where he emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change. He stated, “It’s true that some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that’s underway in America,” affirming a commitment to the cause.
On the final day of the summit, world leaders ensured that President Biden was included in the group photograph, with Brazilian officials noting the importance of punctuality in their culture. Mr. Biden concluded his participation with a meeting focused on climate change, urging leaders to take the crisis seriously, stating, “History is watching us.”
As he approaches his 82nd birthday, Mr. Biden expressed a desire to continue sharing his perspective but ultimately refrained from making further remarks.