T20 U.S. Leaders Call for Stronger Global Cooperation and Economic Coordination During UNGA 81
By Paula Sweis | New York- From UN
NEW YORK — International policy experts, G20 representatives, think tank leaders and civil society organizations gathered in New York on September 25 during the 81st United Nations General Assembly to examine how the world’s leading economies can strengthen international cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and challenges to multilateral institutions.
The high-level discussion, titled “Engaging Diverse Voices in the G20 U.S. for Better Policymaking and Action in Uncertain Times,” was convened by T20 U.S., an informal research network co-led by the Stimson Center, the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the Brookings Institution.
Held at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in Manhattan, the event brought together G20 policy representatives and leaders from business, labor, civil society, women’s organizations and other international networks.
The discussions centered on a question facing governments and international institutions: how can the G20 maintain cooperation and deliver meaningful economic results when geopolitical divisions, trade imbalances and competing national priorities are increasingly challenging the international system?
With the United States holding the G20 presidency in 2026, participants also examined how policy initiatives established under recent Global South presidencies could be carried forward, rather than losing momentum as leadership transitions between countries.
Multilateralism Under Pressure
The opening discussions focused on the challenges facing multilateral institutions at a time of heightened geopolitical conflict and economic fragmentation.
Sarang Shidore of the Quincy Institute moderated a dialogue featuring representatives connected to India, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations and Canada.
Participants examined growing divisions between advanced and developing economies, as well as broader tensions affecting global trade, investment and economic security.
Inflation, public debt, energy costs and global economic imbalances were among the pressures discussed, highlighting the difficulties governments face in coordinating responses to challenges that extend beyond national borders.
Andreas Schaal, the OECD’s G20 Sherpa, discussed the need for the forum to concentrate on fewer, more substantive policy priorities and improve continuity between successive presidencies.
The discussion reflected concerns that international agreements can lose effectiveness when commitments are not consistently implemented or monitored after leadership transitions.
For the G20, maintaining relevance increasingly depends not only on reaching agreements, but also on demonstrating that those agreements lead to measurable outcomes.
Building on the Global South’s G20 Leadership
A significant part of the conversation examined the accomplishments of recent G20 presidencies led by Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa.
Shambhu Hakki, representing India, highlighted developments achieved during this period, including the African Union’s admission as a permanent G20 member during India’s 2023 presidency.
The inclusion of the African Union expanded African representation within a forum that plays an important role in shaping global economic discussions.
Participants also discussed Indonesia’s work on sustainable finance, Brazil’s efforts to advance reforms involving multilateral development banks, and South Africa’s emphasis on development and international economic cooperation.
These initiatives reflected the growing influence of emerging economies in shaping discussions about development financing, infrastructure, debt sustainability and the international financial system.
However, speakers also acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining progress when countries approach economic and geopolitical challenges from different perspectives.
The question was how the next cycle of G20 leadership could preserve development priorities while responding to new economic and security concerns.
The United Nations and the G20
The relationship between the United Nations and the G20 was another important part of the discussion.
Hanif Navid, representing the United Nations in the G20 process, explained the importance of bringing a broader development perspective into conversations involving the world’s major economies.
Although the G20 includes many of the world’s largest economies, its membership does not encompass every country affected by its decisions.
The United Nations can help connect G20 discussions to the interests of countries outside the forum, particularly developing economies facing challenges related to energy access, infrastructure, financing and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants also discussed the role of UN institutions in supporting technical cooperation on issues ranging from digital transformation to labor policy and sustainable development.
The exchange highlighted the importance of coordination between institutions responsible for international development and those influencing economic and financial policy.
Critical Minerals, Energy Security and Economic Resilience
Discussions also addressed the growing importance of critical minerals, supply chain security and energy cooperation.
Dan Holton, representing Canada, discussed how countries can form targeted partnerships around shared priorities while continuing to support broader multilateral frameworks.
These partnerships may become increasingly important in areas such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy security and technological development.
Participants emphasized the importance of diversifying supply chains to reduce strategic dependence on individual countries or concentrated sources of essential materials.
Rather than treating smaller coalitions and multilateral institutions as competing approaches, the discussion explored how they could complement one another.
For governments and businesses, these questions have significant implications for investment, industrial competitiveness and the transition toward new energy technologies.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
The second segment brought together representatives from G20 engagement groups to examine how emerging technologies, business priorities and social development should influence policymaking.
Christian Kastrop, President and CEO of the Global Solutions Initiative, introduced the discussion, which was moderated by Richard Ponzio of the Stimson Center.
Gary Litman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce addressed the business community’s interest in artificial intelligence and its potential to support innovation, productivity and economic growth.
However, the discussion also recognized the challenges associated with unequal access to technology and differences in countries’ ability to develop and regulate AI systems.
Participants examined the need for greater international coordination on technological standards to reduce risks and allow economies to benefit from innovation.
Mark Mittelhauser, representing Labor 20, brought attention to the concerns of workers as AI increasingly changes employment and workplace management.
Issues raised included algorithmic decision-making, employee surveillance, data privacy, job displacement and the need for workers to participate in decisions about the technologies affecting their livelihoods.
The discussion illustrated a broader challenge for policymakers: encouraging technological innovation while ensuring that its economic benefits are not concentrated among a limited number of industries, companies or countries.
Women’s Economic Participation and Civil Society
Women’s participation in economic decision-making also featured prominently in the dialogue.
Anne Simmons-Benton, representing Women 20, discussed efforts to develop practical policy recommendations addressing barriers to women’s economic advancement.
Priorities included the care economy, decent work, entrepreneurship, women’s health and greater economic opportunities in agriculture.
The discussion emphasized that closing gender gaps is not only a social development objective but also an important economic consideration.
Participants also examined the role of civil society in ensuring that global economic policies respond to the needs of communities.
Christine Sequenzia of Bread for the World discussed priorities involving food security, healthcare, education and broader human development.
These issues remain particularly important for developing countries facing financial constraints, rising costs and limited access to essential public services.
The event also explored how philanthropic organizations could contribute to global development financing.
Reon Van Der Merwe of WINGS discussed the importance of using flexible philanthropic resources to support partnerships and attract additional funding.
Rather than relying on philanthropy to finance large-scale development challenges independently, the discussion highlighted its potential to support initiatives capable of mobilizing broader public and private investment.
Turning Dialogue Into Policy
One of the strongest themes emerging from the gathering was the need to connect policy discussions with implementation.
Representatives emphasized that G20 engagement groups must do more than produce recommendations that receive limited attention after major international summits conclude.
Participants called for stronger coordination between the G20’s finance track, government policymakers, international organizations and engagement groups representing business, labor and civil society.
Recommendations included establishing clearer policy priorities, monitoring commitments across successive presidencies, strengthening public-private partnerships and improving opportunities for engagement groups to communicate directly with governments.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue throughout the year rather than concentrating cooperation around annual summits.
For think tanks and other research organizations, this means developing practical recommendations that governments can implement while preserving continuity between changing G20 presidencies.
The September gathering formed part of preparations for the T20 U.S. Summit scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, in New York.
The upcoming summit is expected to bring together international researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop recommendations ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for December in Miami.
Attending the discussion offered an opportunity to observe how closely international diplomacy is connected to economic policymaking, private investment and the challenges facing global institutions.
Whether the issue is debt sustainability, artificial intelligence, infrastructure financing or energy security, many of today’s economic challenges require cooperation across governments, businesses and international organizations.
The conversations at T20 U.S. reflected a continuing challenge for the international community: maintaining effective cooperation while countries confront increasingly different political and economic priorities.
As the G20 prepares for its next phase, its long-term relevance may depend less on the number of commitments announced and more on whether those commitments produce measurable results and support greater economic stability across both developed and developing countries.
