From St Petersburg to Brisbane

Australia assumed responsibility for coordinating the work of the G20, accepting from Russia the rotating presidency of the forum on 1 December 2013. Most commentators argue that the Russian presidency was a success in terms of strengthening the G20’s institutional framework, legitimacy and effectiveness. G20 leaders met in St Petersburg under trying economic conditions. Sluggish global growth, persisting imbalances and downside economic risks demanded that they concentrate on developing and adopting a set of measures aimed at boosting strong, sustainable and balanced growth, along with job creation, around the world. As at previous summits, these traditional priorities constituted the core of the Russian G20 presidency’s agenda.