G20

What is the G20?

The G20 is an international forum of the governments of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. It grew in relevance during the financial crisis and its aftermath. Since 2008 there are annual meetings of heads of state. Employment, skills and job creation have been a priority for the G20 since the onset of the financial crisis. G20 employment and labour ministers have met periodically to define strategies and exchange best practices to address persistently high unemployment rates and related challenges in G20 labour markets. A G20 Employment Task Force was set up in Cannes in 2011 to support the G20 labour ministerial process, which was transformed to a standing Working Group in 2014.

Why is the G20 relevant to business?

The G20 has emerged as one of the most important global policy forums to tackle global challenges. The agenda of the G20 has considerably expanded over the years and covers, in addition to financial issues, topics such as trade, employment and education, sustainable development, food, health, and corruption. Business is affected by the commitments of the G20, which are implemented at national level.

How is the IOE involved with the G20?

The IOE has been deeply engaged in the G20 employment and education process from the beginning. It supports the B20 (Business 20) in the drafting of the employment and education recommendations to the G20 leaders. It engages with the G20 labour ministers and in the G20 Employment Working Group, and brings the business experience and standpoint into the G20 labour ministerial. The IOE also has a leading role in the engagement with the L20 (Labour 20) and the drafting of the joint B20-L20 statements. Finally, by monitoring the implementation of G20 commitments at national level, the IOE holds the G20 governments accountable.

How does the IOE’s work with the G20 advance the agenda for business?

The IOE is the voice of business in the G20 employment process. It promotes the view that the G20 must take a more prominent role as an engine of reform for open, dynamic and inclusive labour markets, and for enabling business environments, as well as for entrepreneurship and innovation. It also works to ensure better follow-up to G20 commitments, such as the G20 Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the G20 Structural Reform Agenda at national level.