While the establishment of the G-20 was a direct response to the global repercussions of the economic and financial crisis in Asia, it also gave tangible recognition to the marked changes to the international economic landscape that had occurred over the preceding decades. Emerging countries had become important economic powers.

Twenty years after its creation, the G-20 has been elevated to the premier international economic forum and faces numerous economic, geopolitical and technological challenges. During this high-level conversation-style event, Larry H. SUMMERS and Paul MARTIN reflected on the past and the future of international cooperation at a time of major stress in the international financial system.