International Power Players in the Worldwide Governance Arena

The G7 and G20 are two significant international forums that have been shaping global policy for decades.

The G7, a group of western countries, has been meeting since 1975. Originally consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and Canada, the group expanded to include the European Union in recent years. The G7 has been a platform for discussions on political and security-related issues.

On the other hand, the G20 is a more diverse group that represents the emerging multi-polar world order. Established in 1999, the G20 initially focused on global economic and finance governance. It has since expanded its scope to include trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, and anti-corruption. The G20 consists of 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union as a full member. The 19 countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The G20 was initially formed with the G7 countries, along with twelve countries of global economic and political importance. Over the years, it has grown to include the African Union, making it a more inclusive platform for global discussions. Notably, the South African G20 Presidency in 2025 marked the first time an African nation held the presidency.

The Brazilian G20 Summit took place in 2024, while the Italian G7 Summit was held in the same year. In 2025, the presidency of the G7 Summit was held by Canada, and the presidency of the G20 Summit was held by South Africa.

For additional economic data on G7/G8 and G20, consult DESTATIS. The Heinrich Boell Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., and the University of Toronto's G7 and G20 Information Center are valuable resources for those interested in learning more about these influential forums.

It is important to note that Russia joined the G7 in 1998 but was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. This suspension highlighted the political nature of these forums and the consequences of actions that contradict international law and norms.

In conclusion, the G7 and G20 are essential platforms for global discussions and decision-making. Their agendas may overlap, but their unique compositions allow for a broader and more inclusive perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our world today.