The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was established in 1999 to bring together systemically important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place in Berlin, on December 1516, 1999, hosted by German and Canadian finance ministers. Mandate The G-20 is an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20 helps to support growth and development across the globe. Origins The G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and to a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. Prior to the G-20 creation, similar groupings to promote dialogue and analysis had been established at the initiative of the G-7. The G-22 met at Washington D.C. in April and October 1998. Its aim was to involve non-G-7 countries in the resolution of global aspects of the financial crisis then affecting emerging-market countries. Two subsequent meetings comprising a larger group of participants (G-33) held in March and April 1999 discussed reforms of the global economy and the international financial system. The proposals made by the G-22 and the G-33 to reduce the world economy's susceptibility to crises showed the potential benefits of a regular international consultative forum embracing the emerging-market countries. Such a regular dialogue with a constant set of partners was institutionalized by the creation of the G-20 in 1999. Membership The G20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and The European Union who is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank. To ensure global economic fora and institutions work together, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings on an ex-officio basis. The G-20 thus brings together important industrial and emerging-market countries from all regions of the world. Together, member countries represent around 90 per cent of global gross national product, 80 per cent of world trade (including EU intra-trade) as well as two-thirds of the world's population. The G-20's economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial system. Achievements The G-20 has progressed a range of issues since 1999, including agreement about policies for growth, reducing abuse of the financial system, dealing with financial crises, and combating terrorist financing. The G-20 also aims to foster the adoption of internationally recognized standards through the example set by its members in areas such as the transparency of fiscal policy and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In 2004, G-20 countries committed to new higher standards of transparency and exchange of information on tax matters. This aims to combat abuses of the financial system and illicit activities including tax evasion. The G20 also plays a signficant role in matters concerned with the reform of the international finacial arcitecture. The G-20 has also aimed to develop a common view among members on issues related to further development of the global economic and financial system and held an extraordinary meeting in the margins of the 2008 IMF and World Bank annual meetings in recognistion of the current economic situtation. At this meeting in accordance with the G20s core mission to promote open and constructive exchanges between advanced and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability and growth, the Ministers and Governors discussed the present financial market crisis and its implications for the world economy. They stressed their resolve to work together to overcome the financial turmoil and to deepen cooperation to improve the regulation, supervision and the overall functioning of the worlds financial markets. Chair Unlike international institutions such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), IMF or World Bank, the G-20 (like the G-7) has no permanent staff of its own. The G-20 chair rotates between members, and is selected from a different regional grouping of countries each year. In 2009 the G-20 chair is the United Kingdom, and in 2010 it will be South Korea. The chair is part of a revolving three-member management Troika of past, present and future chairs. The incumbent chair establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration of its term, which coordinates the group's work and organizes its meetings. The role of the Troika is to ensure continuity in the G-20's work and management across host years. Former G-20 Chairs - 1999-2001 Canada
- 2002 India
- 2003 Mexico
- 2004 Germany
- 2005 China
- 2006 Australia
- 2007 South Africa
- 2008 Brazil
- 2009 United Kingdom
Meetings and activities It is normal practice for the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors to meet once a year. The last meeting of ministers and governors was held in São Paulo, Brazil on 8-9 November 2008. The ministers' and governors' meeting is usually preceded by two deputies' meetings and extensive technical work. This technical work, takes the form of workshops, reports and case studies on specific subjects, that aim to provide ministers and governors with contemporary analysis and insights, to better inform their consideration of policy challenges and options. Towards the end of 2008 Leaders of the G20 Countries meet in Washington. See the Declaration and action plan from the Washington Summit (PDF 72KB) . This meeting remitted follow up work to Finance Ministers. In addition to their November meeting in order to take forward this work in advance of the Leaders summit in London on 2nd April Finance Ministers and central Bank Governors will also meet in March 2009. A deputies meeting will be held in February 2009 to prepare for the Ministers meeting. G-20 Events Deputies meeting 1st February 2009 Officials Workshop Financing for Climate Change 13th & 14th February 2009 Deputies meeting 13th March 2009 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting 14th March 2009 Officials Workshop on Global Economy 25th 26th May 2009 Officials Workshop on Sustainable Financing for Development June 2009 Deputies meeting September 2009 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting 7th & 8th November 2009 Interaction with other international organizations The G-20 cooperates closely with various other major international organizations and fora, as the potential to develop common positions on complex issues among G-20 members can add political momentum to decision-making in other bodies. The participation of the President of the World Bank, the Managing Director of the IMF and the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Development Committee in the G-20 meetings ensures that the G-20 process is well integrated with the activities of the Bretton Woods Institutions. The G-20 also works with, and encourages, other international groups and organizations, such as the Financial Stability Forum, in progressing international and domestic economic policy reforms. In addition, experts from private-sector institutions and non-government organisations are invited to G-20 meetings on an ad hoc basis in order to exploit synergies in analyzing selected topics and avoid overlap. External communication The country currently chairing the G-20 posts details of the group's meetings and work program on a dedicated website. Although participation in the meetings is reserved for members, the public is informed about what was discussed and agreed immediately after the meeting of ministers and governors has ended. After each meeting of ministers and governors, the G-20 publishes a communiqué which records the agreements reached and measures outlined. Material on the forward work program is also made public. FAQ. 1. When was the G-20 set up? The G-20 first meeting was held in Berlin on December 1516, 1999. 2. Why was the G-20 set up? The G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. Prior to the G-20 creation, similar groupings to promote dialogue and analysis had been established at the initiative of the G-7. The G-22 met at Washington D.C. in April and October 1998. Its aim was to involve non-G-7 countries in the resolution of global aspects of the financial crisis then affecting emerging-market countries. Two subsequent meetings comprising a larger group of participants (G-33) held in March and April 1999 discussed reforms of the global economy and the international financial system. The proposals made by the G-22 and G-33 to reduce the world economy's susceptibility to crises showed the potential benefits of a regular international consultative forum embracing the emerging-market countries. Such a regular dialogue with a constant set of partners was institutionalized by the G-20 creation in 1999. 3. How does the G-20 differ from the G-7? The G-7 was established in 1976 as an informal forum of seven major industrial economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The G-7 conducts dialogue and seeks agreement on current economic issues on the basis of the comparable interests of those countries. The G-20 was established in 1999 and reflects the diverse interests of the systemically significant industrial and emerging-market economies. (see. About the G20). It has a high degree of representativeness and legitimacy on account of its geographical composition (members are drawn from all continents) and its large share of global population (two-thirds) and world GNP (around 90 per cent). The G-20's broad representation of countries at different stages of development gives its consensus outcomes greater impact than those of the G-7. 4. Can all member countries exert equal influence? Achieving consensus is the underlying principle of G-20 activity with regard to comments, recommendations and measures to be adopted. There are no formal votes or resolutions on the basis of fixed voting shares or economic criteria. Every G-20 member has one 'voice' with which it can take an active part in G-20 activity. To this extent the influence a country can exert is shaped decisively by its commitment. 5. What are the criteria for G-20 membership? In a forum such as the G-20, it is particularly important for the number of countries involved to be restricted and fixed to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of its activity. There are no formal criteria for G-20 membership and the composition of the group has remained unchanged since it was established. In view of the objectives of the G-20, it was considered important that countries and regions of systemic significance for the international financial system be included. Aspects such as geographical balance and population representation also played a major part. 6. How is the G20 connected to the meeting of Leaders Summit to be held in London on 2nd April? The G20 is carrying out the preparatory work for the Leaders summit in London on 2nd April. This includes taking forward work Leaders remitted to Finance Ministers at the meeting held in Washington DC on 15th November 2008. 7. How are the G20 taking forward work remitted to Finance Ministers by Leaders. The G20 Finance Ministers were tasked from the Washington summit to forward work in the following five areas; - Strengthening transparency and accountability Enhancing sound regulation
- Promoting integrity in financial markets
- Reinforcing international cooperation
- Refoming the internatiola Financial Institutions
publications - G20 Surveillance note revised 2 February 2009 (PDF 578KB)
- Study Group Report on Global Credit Market Disruptions 8 - 9 November 2008 (PDF 926KB)
- G-20 Reform Agenda for 2008, 8 - 9 November 2008 (PDF 1335KB)
- Member Country Measures to Combat the Financing of Terrorism - 2008, 8 - 9 November 2008 (XLS 289KB)
- Reports of Observance of Standard and Codes (ROSCs) and Financial System Stability Assessments (FSSAs) 2008, 8 - 9 November 2008 (XLS 289KB)
- The Group of Twenty - A History, 15 - 16 March 2008 (PDF 535KB)
- G-20 Reform Agenda for 2007, 17 - 18 November 2007 (PDF 38KB)
- Member Country Measures to Combat the Financing of Terrorism, 17 - 18 November 2007 (PDF 17KB)
- Reports of Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSCs) and Financial System Stability Assessments (FSSAa), 17 - 18 November 2007 (PDF 102KB)
- Reform Agenda for 2006, 19 - 20 November 2006 (PDF 30KB)
- G-20 Workshop on Demography and Financial Markets, Sydney, Australia, 23 - 25 July 2006 (PDF 1813KB)
- Brochure on G-20 Accord for Sustained Growth, 15 - 16 October 2005 (PDF 2124KB)
- G-20 Reform Agenda for 2005, 15 - 16 October 2005 PDF / 67Kb
- G-20 Statement on Global Development Issues, 15 - 16 October 2005 (PDF 30KB)
- G-20 Statement on Reforming the Bretton Woods Institutions, 15 - 16 October 2005 (PDF 29KB)
- Institution Building in the Financial Sector, 15 - 16 October 2005 (PDF / 1581KB)
- G-20 Workshop on Demographic Challenges and Migration, 27 - 28 August 2005 (PDF 2187KB)
- G-20 Accord for Sustained Growth, 20 - 21 November 2004 (PDF 107KB)
- G-20 Reform Agenda for 2004, 20 - 21 November 2004 (PDF 92KB)
- G-20 Statement on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, 20 - 21 November 2004 (PDF 84KB)
- Proceedings of the G-20 Workshop on Regional Economic Integration in a Global Framework, Beijing, 22 - 23 September 2004 (external website)
- Summary of G-20 Workshop on Developing Strong Domestic Financial Markets, Ottawa, 26 - 27 April 2004 (PDF 45KB)
- Economic Reform in this Era of Globalization 16 country cases, 26 October 2003 (PDF 800KB)
- Poverty, Inequality and the Distribution of Income in the Group of 20, 3 April 2003 (PDF 234KB)
- Proceedings of a G-20 Workshop on Globalisation, Living Standards and Inequality: Recent Progress and Continuing Challenges, 27 - 18 May 2002 (external website)
- G-20 Action Plan on Terrorist Financing, 16 November 2001 (PDF 99KB)
- Statement of G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, Washington, DC launching the G-20, 25 September 1999 (PDF 115KB)
Communiqués - Declaration Washington, USA, 15 November 2008 (PDF 72KB)
- Communiqué São Paulo, Brazil, 8 - 9 November 2008 (PDF 1118KB)
- Communiqué Kleinmond, Cape Town, South Africa, 17 - 18 November 2007 (PDF 47KB)
- Communiqué Melbourne, Australia, 18 - 19 November 2006 (PDF / 32KB)
- Communiqué Xianghe, Hebei, China, 15 - 16 October 2005 (PDF 68KB)
- Communiqué Berlin, Germany, 20 - 21 November 2004 (PDF 321KB)
- Communiqué Morelia, Mexico, 26 - 27 October 2003 (PDF 124KB)
- Communiqué New Delhi, India, 23 November 2002 (PDF / 46KB)
- Communiqué Ottawa, Canada, 16 - 17 November 2001 (PDF 99KB)
- Communiqué Montréal, Canada, 25 October 2000 (PDF 91KB)
- Communiqué Berlin, Germany, 15 - 16 December 1999 (PDF 115KB)
-- Warm Regards, Sudesh Kumar London, UK sudesh.kumar@economics.org.in
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