Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies are set to begin discussions on global issues, such as poverty and climate change.

The two-day G20 summit kicks off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the attendees. They have just wrapped up talks at the APEC summit in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

The leaders are expected to discuss how to proceed with measures to address hunger and poverty. They will also exchange views on sustainable development, including measures against climate change.

Developing and emerging nations have faced those challenges for many years.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will preside over the summit, said on Saturday that "it's time to tell the world what the Amazon wants".

He also said that rich countries need to help finance the protection of forests.

All eyes are on whether the G20 countries can, in spite of their different positions, reach a consensus on solutions for these global challenges.

The summit comes two months before the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President. He is considered to be reluctant to take measures against climate change and prefer bilateral negotiations.