The Group of Twenty, or the G20, is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The G20 brings together the leaders of both developed and developing countries from every continent. Collectively, the G20economies account for around 90% of the Gross World Product (GWP), 80% of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world’s land area. Throughout the year, representatives from G20countries gather to discuss financial and socioeconomic issues.
Historically, the G20 was established in 1999 at the level of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, and it convened for high-level discussions on macro-financial issues. Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the G20 was elevated to include the leaders of member countries.
The first G20 Leaders’ Summit took place in Washington D.C. in November 2008. Consonantly, the G20 agenda expanded beyond macro-financial issues to include socio-economic and development issues.
The Presidency of the G20 rotates between member countries every year and plays a leading role in setting the agendaand organizing the Leaders’ Summit, which is attended by the G20 Heads of State or Government. At the Summit, the leaders issue a declaration, or communiqué, based on policy discussions at meetings held throughout the year. In therun-up to the Summit, the Presidency hosts several meetings featuring Ministers, senior government officials, as well as civil society representatives. At the government level, the G20 work is organized around the Finance and Sherpa Tracks, while civil society assembles through Engagement Groups
G20 Members include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
Several official engagement groups—such as Business 20 (B20), Youth 20 (Y20), Labour 20 (L20), Think 20 (T20), Civil 20 (C20), Women 20 (W20), Science 20 (S20), and Urban 20 (U20)—along with many non-official engagement groups representing diverse interests, carry out activities throughout the year. These efforts aim to provide G20 leaders with concrete recommendations on a broad range of issues during the Annual Summit.
Under its 2026 Presidency, the United States is expected to advance a renewed focus on democratic cooperation, inclusive economic growth, and global resilience. Building on the engagement mechanisms strengthened by previous presidencies, the U.S. G20 aims to foster open dialogue among governments, civil society, the private sector, and international institutions, ensuring that a broad range of stakeholders contribute to shaping practical and forward-looking outcomes. Through this approach, the United States seeks to reinforce the G20’s role as a forum for collective action in addressing shared global challenges ahead of the 2026 Leaders’ Summit.