An Introduction to the G20: The Australian Presidency in Context

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the G20 in the lead up to Australia’s G20 presidency. It includes an overview of the G20’s work in the last five years and the likely agendas for 2013 and 2014; and describes aspects of the global and Australian context.

In December 2013, Australia will become President of the G20 (Group of 20) for a year. The G20 describes itself as the world’s premier forum for economic cooperation. It has members from 19 countries plus the European Union. Australia will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane in November 2014 and in the preceding months there will be meetings in Canberra, Cairns and Sydney of finance ministers and central bank governors and their deputies.

Australia’s presidency comes at a critical time for the G20. There is a view amongst commentators that, while the group worked reasonably well in responding to the global financial crisis, it has yet to prove its worth as an ongoing institution. The global economy remains fragile. There are tensions between the G7 and the BRICS countries (the emerging economic powers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa; Mexico is often included – BRICSAM – and Indonesia as well). There are also tensions between the domestic agendas of the G20 countries and their claim to competency in managing the global economy.

Russia as G20 President has the opportunity to be influential because it will chair the G8 in 2014 and the BRICS alliance in 2015. Nevertheless some observers have low expectations of the Russian presidency and are looking already to Australia. On the other hand, Australia’s Lowy Institute headlined its 14 December 2012 update ‘Russia makes a promising G20 start’.

In Australia, a G20 task force has been established in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Australia’s G20 ‘Sherpa’ has been appointed (the personal representative of the Prime Minister responsible for shepherding the agenda and negotiations). The Lowy Institute has been given $4 million for a G20 Studies Centre, established in August 2012. Development NGOs are active: in October 2012, Australia’s peak development lobby group ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) proposed to the Australian government that it host a consultation process for civil society groups (Civil 20).10 In the broader community awareness is low.

 

 

 
 
 
 
Product details
Date of Publication
January 2013
Publisher
Heinrich Boell Foundation
Number of Pages
40
Licence