Group of Twenty

Like the Group of Seven (G7), the G20 is an informal forum since it has no administrative apparatus of its own nor a permanent representation of its members. That is why the presidency, which rotates annually between members, plays such an important role. The presidency sets the thematic priorities and organises the annual summits and specialised ministers’ meetings. Each presidency can also invite other countries, regional organisations and international organisations to join the member countries when they meet.

Although decisions adopted by the G20 are not legally binding, they nevertheless have considerable political impact on account of the combined political and economic clout of the G20 members, so that many other countries as well as international organisations look to its decisions.

Originally, only the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors met regularly to discuss key issues of international economic and monetary policy. Since the financial crisis in 2008, the G20 has also convened at the level of Heads of State and Government. In recent years, the growing number of global challenges has led to an expansion of the agenda to include issues such as trade, health, climate change, development policy, digitalization, as well as labor market and employment policy. The priorities and thematic focus are determined by the respective G20 Presidency.

In 2017, at the invitation of Germany, the first meeting of G20 Health Ministers was held. The two-day meeting, which took place in Berlin from 19 to 20 May, focused on addressing global health threats. The G20 Health Ministers agreed to improve health crisis management, strengthen health systems, and combat antimicrobial resistance. On 1 December 2025, the United States assumed the G20 Presidency, succeeding South Africa. The United States decided not to include health on its agenda this year.