G7 and G20

The Group of 20 includes emerging countries alongside the largest industrialised countries, bringing together the most important actors with global responsibility. It has met regularly since 1999 at the level of heads of state and government as well as various ministerial conferences. Traditionally, this group focuses on financial and economic policy measures to stabilise the world economy. The G20 is made up of 19 countries, the EU and, since 2023, the African Union. In addition to the G7 countries, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey are members.

The Group of Seven (G7) is not an international organisation. It is an informal forum for heads of state and government to discuss economic and foreign policy issues, including climate, energy and environmental matters, in a small group. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Japan, the USA and Canada are members of the G7. The EU is also represented at all meetings. From 1998 to 2014, the Group of Eight (G8) included the G7 countries plus Russia.