RIO DE JANEIRO (Kyodo) -- The Group of 20 leaders on Tuesday wrapped up their two-day meeting, underscoring the need for collective action to combat climate change, poverty and other global challenges.

While the leaders managed to issue a joint statement covering a wide range of topics, they mostly stuck to generalities ahead of the expected return of Donald Trump as U.S. president, with the forum already split in recent years over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Under the presidency of Brazil, the diverse group noted geopolitical risks in the Middle East as well as the "human suffering" and other negative repercussions of wars, but it did not single out Russia as an aggressor.

It also took the sting out by removing a pledge to resist protectionism that appeared in the leaders' statement last year. While a G20 delegation source downplayed the significance of the change, dropping the previously agreed language was a symbolic move before the inauguration of Trump, a skeptic of multilateral arrangements.

The group highlighted the importance of multilateralism in the fight against climate change, though the outlook for any movement on the issue remains uncertain after Trump returns to the White House.

The two-day summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro was a forum for leaders from both advanced and emerging economies to explore ways to jointly tackle global challenges.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, making his G20 summit debut, told his fellow leaders the role of the G20 is expanding.

"I stressed that a free and open international order based on the rule of law is important," Ishiba told a press conference at the end of his South American trip.

He visited Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit before the G20 leaders' meeting.

While the group remains divided over issues like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Brazil, this year's chair, has prioritized global efforts to fight poverty and hunger, enhance governance and ensure sustainable development.

The outcome document that was released on the first day of the meeting included Brazil's priorities, such as taxing the superrich and the launch of a mechanism to mobilize funding and share knowledge toward reducing poverty and hunger.

As part of better global governance, reform of the United Nations is seen by some members as a higher priority since Russia, a permanent member of the international body's Security Council, launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Japan, for its part, has been cooperating with Brazil, Germany and India to realize U.N. reforms, with an eye to gaining a permanent seat on the Security Council.

The G20 statement calls for "an expanded Security Council composition" reflective of "the realities and demands of the 21st century," vowing to make it "more representative, inclusive, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable, and more transparent."

Regarding the global economy, the leaders said there are "good prospects of a soft landing" but downside risks have increased amid geopolitical turmoil and other challenges.

In a move that may offer some relief to Japan, which has been battling a persistently weak yen, the G20 maintained its stance that currency movements should be stable and reflect economic fundamentals, as disorderly movements and excessive volatility can harm economic and financial stability.

South Africa will take over the rotating G20 presidency next year.

The Group of Seven members -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union -- are part of the broader G20. The other members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.