The G20 is a premier forum for member cooperation on international economic and financial issues.
The mandate of the G20 is to coordinate member state policies to promote international economic stability and sustainable growth; to promote financial regulation to reduce risk and prevent financial crises; and to create a new international financial infrastructure. The forum’s main format is annual meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors.
There are 20 permanent members in the group: 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) plus the European Union.
The G20 summits are normally attended by the leaders of the permanent member states, five guest countries and international organizations. The European Union is represented at these summits by the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Council.
The G20 summits are held in the country currently holding the annual rotating presidency of the group.
The G20 countries have held nine leader summits since 2008.
