Brazil Eleven things you need to know about the G20
The heads of state and government of the leading economic powers are meeting this Monday for their annual summit in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro.
17.11.2024, 12:00
17.11.2024, 12:01
SDA
The "Group of 20" (G20)...
... consists of the European Union, the African Union and 19 of the strongest economies on all continents: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the USA.
... is represented at the summit in Rio de Janeiro by most, but not all, of the heads of state and government. Russian President Vladimir Putin has canceled and is sending Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as a representative - as he has done for the past two years following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is also not coming - the reasons for this are unclear.
... represents more than 60 percent of the world's population.
... combines more than four fifths of the world's economic power and three quarters of global trade.
... hosts international organizations such as the World Bank and the United Nations (UN) at every summit. Spain and Singapore are also present every time. This time, Brazil has also invited 18 guest countries, mainly from the so-called Global South, i.e. Latin America, Africa and Asia.
... is now actually a G21 because the African Union was admitted as a new member last year.
... was founded for international coordination on financial and economic issues.
... now also deals with many other global issues, from the fight against terrorism to climate protection and wars.
... has usually met once a year at the level of heads of state and government since 2008. There were even two meetings during the financial crisis in 2009 and 2010. The finance ministers and central bank governors have been meeting annually since 1999.
... usually adopts joint declarations by the heads of state and government at its summits, which are not legally binding but nevertheless have a strong political impact.
... will be chaired by South Africa next year.
