G20 GERMANY 2017 HAMBURG The Indo-German mag with swag ! ISSUE 2 | 2017 G20: SHAPING AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD www.whatsupgermany.de WHAT’S UP, AMBASSADOR? DR MARTIN NEY We live in an interconnected world that is responsibility to address these issues, undergoing enormous changes—changes because their concerted efforts can bring that touch the lives of virtually everyone. about change. They work together in the These changes can bring us closer G20—the Group of Twenty—a platform for together or create new rifts. Our societies dialogue and close collaboration. are transformed by new networks and an increasing exchange of ideas which, thanks Germany currently holds the presidency of to modern technologies, flow across borders. the G20. Having already organised a series People are also on the move in real terms, of ministerial meetings, we will host the looking for opportunities around the world or leaders’ summit on 7–8 July in Hamburg. Our fleeing from conflicts. presidency centres on the triad of stability, responsibility and sustainability, which we New opportunities have not only driven deem essential to secure the prosperity innovation and economic growth, but have and security of everyone. helped to lift millions of people out of dire poverty. At the same time, we have Together with India and other partners had to overcome unprecedented we strive to increase the resilience of our challenges which emanated economies and financial institutions. We from the very institutions that aim to translate the commitments to a underpin our global economic sustainable development path and to the system. We are facing protection of our climate into concrete even more challenges measures. We also look ahead and want ahead, threatening global to seize the opportunities that digital institutions and the security technologies present for economies and and livelihood of people. societies. Last but not least, we want the G20 to assume greater responsibility for “Heavyweights” on the global areas that affect global peace and security. stage like Germany and Does it all sound too abstract? It might at India have a shared first, but when we think about it, these are the central topics that will help all of our lives directly. The 2017 G20 Hamburg Summit is a great chance to jointly shape a better future for all of us. Let’s seize this opportunity! “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” — Martin Luther King, Jr, civil rights leader ? ECONOMIC POWERHOUSES The 20 members of the G20 account for more than 85% of the world’s GDP. (The Telegraph) WATER WOES Nearly 70% of the world’s FIRST MOVE freshwater is used for The first ever G20 meeting agricultural purposes. By was held in Berlin in 1999. 2050, this consumption is expected to increase by (The Sun) about 20%. (UN-Water) FLUSH TIMES GLOBAL TRADE Between 1990 and 2014, Home to two-thirds of the world trade increased world’s population, the G20 nearly fivefold and global countries account for 75% per capita income grew by of global trade. 250%. (The Times of India) (B20 Germany 2017) ONLINE TRADE BRIDGING THE GAP Approximately 12% of The G20 has pledged to the global goods trade is reduce the gap between conducted via international male and female employment e-commerce. by 25% by the year 2025. (McKinsey Global Institute report, (International Monetary Fund) February 2016) WORKING WOMEN DIGITAL PRIVACY In Germany, 73% of women in the age bracket of 20–64 About three-quarters of had a job in 2014. consumers are concerned (Bloomberg Markets) about the protection of their personal data on the internet. (G20 Consumer Summit) RENEWABLE ENERGY India is among the top ten countries in the world investing in renewable energy. (UNEP’s Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016 report) “In this age of growing interconnectedness, we understand that turning our backs on the world is simply not an option.” — Douglas Alexander, politician THE TEAM OF TWENTY Gone are the days when it took two to tango. In today’s world, it takes at least 20 to tango! The challenges we are facing cannot be dealt with on a national level. A lot more can be achieved by working in close cooperation. Recognising the urgent need for dialogue and united action, the Group of Twenty was formed. What’s Up, Germany? brings you the G20 in a nutshell. THE GENESIS STRONG CLOUT EXPANDING TIES The G20 was founded in 1999 as an Home to two-thirds of the world’s As the range of topics addressed informal group of finance ministers population, the G20 member by the G20 widened, the and central bank governors from 19 countries generate more than organisational framework also countries and the European Union 85 per cent of the global GDP, grew to include more partners, in response to the global financial so though their decisions are such as additional guest countries crisis of the late 1990s. The heads not binding, they have enough and international organisations. of state and government of the influence to bring about reform at Spain takes part in the G20 as 19 countries and representatives an international level. a permanent guest country. from the European Union also Key international organisations joined the group in 2008 at the MODUS OPERANDI such as the United Nations (UN), first G20 leaders’ summit held in the International Monetary For most people, the G20 is Washington, DC. Since then, they Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB), equated with the summit of the have been meeting every year. the World Trade Organization heads of state and government. However, the leaders’ summit is (WTO), the International Labour MEMBER COUNTRIES only the culmination of numerous Organization (ILO), the Financial Argentina, Australia, Brazil, meetings held during the year, Stability Board (FSB) and the Canada, China, France, Germany, where different issues are Organisation for Economic Co- India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, discussed in depth and most of the operation and Development (OECD) Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, groundwork is laid. All discussions also regularly attend the G20. South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, of the different working groups the United Kingdom, the United are coordinated by Sherpas, who States and the European Union are are personal representatives of members of the G20. the G20 leaders. India’s Sherpa is A KNOT Arvind Panagariya, vice-chairman THAT BINDS of NITI Aayog. The most prominent part of the G20 is the finance TOGETHER track, consisting of finance The logo of Germany’s G20 ministers and central bank presidency is the reef knot, governors, which takes which symbolises this year’s care of financial issues. But summit’s motto,“Shaping an other ministers also meet to Interconnected World”. It stands discuss other issues. for the interconnectedness of the various issues the G20 addresses. Individual TAKE THE CHAIR paths join together to form The G20’s presidency or multicoloured strands and chairmanship rotates on culminate in the reef knot. This an annual basis between the knot also points to the long member countries, which maritime tradition of Hamburg, are divided into regional where the 2017 G20 summit will groupings. Germany currently be held. holds the G20 presidency and BROAD AGENDA will host the leaders’ summit in Although the G20 originally Hamburg on 7–8 July 2017. In restricted itself to economic and 2018, Germany will hand over the financial issues, this group of G20 presidency to Argentina. nations comprising the world’s major industrialised and developing countries has gone beyond crisis management. It has expanded its Image: German Federal Press Office agenda, and today it is a major forum for global governance. “As the world grows smaller and more interdependent daily, our country’s future absolutely depends on our ability to see the connections between ourselves and our global neighbors.” — Gilbert Grosvenor, former editor of National Geographic Driven by the motto “Shaping an interconnected world”, Germany is all set to host the G20 leaders’ summit this year on 7–8 July in Hamburg. What’s GERMANY’S Up, Germany? gives you a quick overview of the 2017 G20 summit’s priorities. Germany assumed the G20 presidency for a year st on 1 December 2016. Under its presidency, it is G20 looking to intensify international cooperation to ensure that globalisation PRESIDENCY benefits everyone. Its focus is on inclusive and sustainable growth. Plenty of Potential THE 3 MAIN PILLARS OF GERMANY’S G20 AGENDA ENSURING STABILITY IMPROVING VIABILITY FOR THE FUTURE ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY Considering the world Good governance is essential to Germany intends to economy has suffered achieve sustainable development further strengthen the major setbacks that will benefit all and ensure long- G20’s role as a forum of recently, there is an term preservation of the planet. collective responsibility. urgent need for a During its presidency, Germany will In this context, achieving stable global economy work towards making the economy sustainable economic to prevent sudden more fit for the future by addressing progress in Africa takes financial landslides. various issues: viable energy and centre stage. A separate The German G20 climate strategies; digitalisation; conference entitled presidency aims to better healthcare and management “Partnership with Africa” achieve stability and of health crises; and empowering was held in Berlin in resilience and promote women in the economy. One of its June 2017. Migration, dynamic economic main priorities is to help ensure that terrorism, corruption and growth through the goals of the 2030 Agenda for money laundering will structural reforms in Sustainable Development and the also be addressed during finance, employment, Paris Agreement on climate change Germany’s presidency.