The G-20 after the Cannes Summit

The seminar discussed the emergence of the Group of Twenty (G-20) as one of the major ongoing developments in global governance. For many, it is an expression of the recognition by leading powers that global governance needs to adapt to the new landscape of the altered distribution of world power. Against this background, the Group has been seen as a new engine of global governance, making joint problem-solving more legitimate and effective. Others have however suggested that its informal character and focus on great powers could work against more traditional forms of multilateral cooperation. As a result, a lively debate on the future role of the Group in global governance emerged during the one-day seminar.

Jointly organised with the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) and the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto (G8RG), the seminar brought together prominent researchers who have focused on the G-20 in their recent work through publication of books, journal collections or major policy papers. This group of scholars discussed their research agenda and outcomes with the aim of providing insights into the future development of the G-20 after the Cannes Summit.