What is the G20 summit?

The Group of 20 summit is an informal gathering of 20 leaders from the world’s largest advanced and major emerging economies.

It differs from the Group of 8 meetings which originally began as the Group of 6 major democratic industrial economies of the 1975. Canada was added in 1977 and Russia was added in 1994.

Key documents produced by the G-20 include a “Communiques” which summarize progress and agreements reached during the gathering.

Host nations usually provide the financing and perimeter security for the meetings.