What is the G 20?

The G 20 or the Group of 20 is an international collaboration between countries.

It has 19 independent countries and all the countries of the European Union (EU) represented as one.

The Group started meeting in 1999. At that time, the Finance Ministers and the Heads of the Central Banks of these countries used to meet.

Now, the G 20 Summit is between Heads of State of all member nations.

The G20 represents:

The members of the G20 are:

Argentina,

Australia,

Brazil,

Canada,

China,

France,

Germany,

India,

Indonesia,

Italy,

Japan,

Republic of Korea (South Korea),

Mexico,

Russia,

Saudi Arabia,

South Africa,

Turkiye,

United Kingdom,

United States of America, and

The European Union.

Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.

Each year, the Presidency invites guest countries also.

Several international and regional organizations also participate in the G20 Summits.

Why are international collaborations like this made?

If the UN already exists, why should countries make smaller groups like BRICS, G7, G8, G20, SAARC, NATO, etc.?

This is a very valid question.

The UN is a very large body. What happens when everyone in the school has to decide on an issue that involves the use of Sports Room between Grades 6 and 7?

It takes much longer because all the children in the entire school need to first understand, then analyse, then give their view on the subject.

Instead, suppose that Grade 6 children and Grade 7 children get together and work out a solution that is acceptable to both? Won’t that be much faster and more efficient?

Likewise, these special international bodies were created to take care of special needs of the members of these groups only.