"Even against the backdrop of growing geopolitical risks and uncertainty, the G20 has not become less efficient as a global governance tool. This is largely attributable to the exceptional responsibility demonstrated by its presiding countries in fulfilling their mission," Putin wrote.
"I am saying this based, among other things, on Russia’s own experience, since our country chaired the Group of Twenty in 2013, and benefited from substantial support and encouragement from all of its partners," he added.
According to Putin, the old economic models have exhausted their possibilities, while protectionism is becoming the norm, and unilateral sanctions are its hidden form.
"We are facing several major challenges. The old economic models have all but exhausted their possibilities. Protectionism is becoming the norm, while unilateral, politically motivated restrictions on trade and investment, as well as technology transfer, are nothing but masked protectionism," Putin said.
"We believe that these sanctions are not only doomed to fail, but also run counter to the G20 principles of cooperation in the interests of all countries," he said.
Putin underscored that the agenda of the Group of Twenty should include digital literacy issues as a key tool in protection of consumer rights in conditions of digital economy.
"The G20 agenda should also include digital literacy issues, a key element of protecting consumer rights in e-commerce," Putin wrote.
"I would like to note that various opportunities opened up by the digital economy and a switchover to new industrial and technological patterns simultaneously increase the gap in the development levels between rich and poor countries and aggravate inequality between various social strata. Therefore, our efforts should focus on people, their interests and concerns. I consider this to be a key-priority for G20 activities," the Russian president stressed.
He says Russia advocates free access to communication technologies but opposes attempts to replace it with permissiveness and impunity in the digital sphere.
"Russia consistently advocates free access to communication technologies, including the Internet…At the same time, freedom in the digital sphere, just like in any other, should by no means be replaced by permissiveness and impunity," Putin wrote.
According to Putin, this leads to a rampage involving cyber-criminals, hacker groups and all those who encroach on the privacy of individuals or the sovereignty of states by using cutting-edge technologies.
"Russia, which was among the first countries to note the danger of this challenge, has for several years been advocating the conclusion of universal international agreements under the UN auspices that are called on to combat these negative phenomena. We hope this will evoke a positive and interested response from other countries," the Russian president stressed.
The Group of 20 (G20) will be able to overcome the existing imbalances and to cope with social problems only through cooperation and joining the efforts of its member states, he wrote.
"Obviously, the G20 can make a weighty contribution to strengthening the stability of the global economy and to maintaining its balanced development. Only by acting together and pooling our efforts can we overcome the current imbalances, ensure sustainable growth, develop fair trade and competition rules, reduce poverty and resolve acute social issues," Putin said.
The Russian leader added that the country’s delegation would actively participate in the summit, as well as in the implementation of the agreements reached at the event.
"I wish our German colleagues every success in organising the summit. And, of course, we will team up with our G20 partners in implementing the agreements that will be reached at the meeting," Putin outlined.
Putin noted that since its creation, the Group of 20 (G20) has shown itself as an effective tool of harmonizing interests of the largest world’s economies and succeeded in finding solutions to many long-standing issues.
"Over the years of its existence, the Group of Twenty has established itself as an important mechanism for aligning the interests and positions of the world’s leading economies. By taking coordinated action, the G20 contributed to the adoption of necessary measures that not only helped overcome the financial and economic crisis, but also laid the foundation for improving global governance, which has found itself in dire straits for a number of reasons. Importantly, by working together we have been able to find solutions to a number of long-standing issues," Putin wrote.
The Russian leader said that Moscow appreciated the steps of the group aimed at struggle against tax base erosion and "profit shifting" to the so-called safe havens that was harmful for millions of people, due to high social costs.
The president also reminded of the financial regulation reform, measures aimed at prevention of bankruptcy of the too-big-to-fail banks and the decisions aimed at tackling the crises in the bank sector and the creation of the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
The Russian leader also focused on the efforts taken by the group in the climate-related sphere.
"The G20 is doing substantive work on combating climate change. Human activity is greatly increasing the burden on the planet’s environment and is hence complicating the achievement of sustainable development goals. As a leading country within the international climate process, Russia has exceeded its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. In other words, we have compensated the growing emission in other countries and region," Putin underlined.
The Russian leader added that that the migration issue was also on the agenda of the international organization.
"According to the UN, in 2017 labour migrants will remit over $500 billion to developing countries. This is three times more than the volume of official development assistance or foreign direct investment. The G20 has been working on issues related to the migrants’ integration in the host countries’ labour markets, as well as their cultural adaptation and social protection," Putin said.
Russia welcomes the decision to broaden the agenda of the upcoming G20 summit to include the issues of combating the terror threat, corruption and migration, the Russian President wrote.
"We welcome the decision to expand the agenda addressed by the G20 to include sustainable development, climate change, countering terrorism and corruption, healthcare, migration and refugees. It is very important that the Group is giving more attention to the digital economy as a growth driver and a new factor of global governance thanks to China’s Presidency in 2016 and Germany’s Presidency this year," Putin wrote.
The G20 summit will be held in the German city of Hamburg on July 7-8.
