Below is a short informative film about the September 24-25 Pittsburgh G-20 Summit. This film is presented by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, highlighting our hometown.

The Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was established in 1999 to bring together important industrialized and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy. The inaugural meeting of the G-20 took place in Berlin, in December 1999, hosted by German and Canadian finance ministers.

The European Union 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.

There are no specific criteria for members; however, three factors for inclusion are: regional financial importance, geographical balance, and population representation. The 20 members have not changed since the G-20 was established.

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 give it a high degree of influence over the management of the global economy and financial system.

It has met twice at heads-of-government level, in November 2008 and again in April 2009. The meeting in Pittsburgh in September 2009 will be the third time the group will meet at the heads-of-government level.

What is the 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.

What are the 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 in 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 including 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 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.

Leadership
The G-20 has no permanent staff of its own. The G-20 chair rotates among members and is selected from a different region of the world 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 Troika — a revolving three-member management of past, present, and future chairs. Each chair has a temporary staff, or secretariat, for the duration of its term to ensure continuity in the G-20's work, management, and organization.