As the US boycotts G20, can the forum make a difference?, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• The G20 summit is scheduled to start in Johannesburg, before South Africa hands over the presidency to the US.
• President Trump has refused to attend the summit, alleging the "slaughter" of white Afrikaners in South Africa.
• The US plans to send a junior embassy official to the closing ceremony, raising questions about the G20's mandate.
• The G20 was created in 1999 after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis to promote international economic and financial stability.

Detailed Insights:

• The G20 was initially an informal forum for finance ministers and central bank governors, upgraded to Heads of State/Government after the 2007-08 global financial crisis.
• The G20 includes the G7 countries, the European Union, the Russian Federation, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and the African Union.
• Significant disparities exist among G20 members in terms of per capita GDP, reflecting broader economic and social inequalities.
• Per capita GDP is a strong indicator of economic well-being, correlating inversely with infant mortality rates among G20 nations.
• The US boycott and lack of binding decisions raise concerns about the G20's future effectiveness amid global geopolitical instability.

Key Concepts Involved:

• G20: An international forum for governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies.
• GDP per capita: A measure of a country's economic output per person, reflecting the average standard of living.
• Infant Mortality Rate: The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.