Atlantic Council at the G20
The G20 brings together the world’s 20 largest economies to address the most pressing challenges facing the global economy. In December 2025, the United States assumed the 2026 G20 presidency for the first time in 17 years.
History of the G20
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic and financial cooperation. Founded in 1999 after a series of crises rippled through the global economy, the G20 originally served as a platform for finance ministers and central bank governors to discuss the governance of an increasingly globalized world economy and promote financial stability.
During the global financial crisis in 2008, the G20 was elevated to a leaders level summit, and took swift, coordinated action was taken to rescue the global economy. Past G20 summits have resulted in landmark agreements including the creation of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in 2009.
In 2026, the US will chair the G20 for the first time since 2009. As the chair, the US is prioritizing three core themes: unleashing economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering innovations in AI and emerging technologies.
Featured Research
Issue Brief
Apr 1, 2026
Global payment systems are fragmenting. Here’s what the G20 can do.
By
Greg Brownstein
Fragmentation is reshaping global payment systems, driven by technological change, regulatory divergence, market dynamics, and rising geopolitical tensions. While innovation have long-term benefits, the near-term risks to efficiency, inclusion, and financial stability are mounting, demanding a more implementation-focused G20 agenda.
Report
Nov 12, 2024
Avoiding entanglement: G20 responses in a Taiwan crisis
By
Matthew Mingey, Laura Gormley, and Logan Wright
This report identifies China’s likely goals for interactions with G20 nations under a Taiwan contingency, as well as each case country’s respective economic and policy reactions.
Featured analysis
AfricaSource
Oct 16, 2025
African voices are shaping G20 discussions around international financial architecture reform
By
Sijh Diagne
Africa is not merely affected by these reforms. It is actively shaping them.
Econographics
Mar 7, 2025
Charting the path for women’s economic security in the G20
By
Alisha Chhangani, Jessie Yin
For International Women’s Day this year, here are five charts about gender gaps in the G20. Closing these gaps would boost economic benefits for everyone.
Econographics
Mar 5, 2025
Has the G20 become the G19?
By
Hung Tran
The US has chosen to boycott the kick-off of South Africa’s G20 presidency. But a G20 without the United States or its constructive engagement will be much weaker.
Past events
Dispatches
New Atlanticist
Nov 25, 2025
Dispatch from South Africa: The G20’s center of gravity continues to shift
By
Alisha Chhangani
Emerging markets are building coalitions, designing financial tools, and articulating visions for multilateral reform with growing clarity and confidence.
New Atlanticist
Jul 30, 2024
Dispatch from Rio: Can Brazil set up the G20 leaders’ summit for success?
By
Ananya Kumar, Mrugank Bhusari
Brasília has sought to acknowledge fundamental disagreements on geopolitics between some members, and then to sidestep them entirely at the ministerial level. How long can this approach last?
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At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.
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