G20 Sherpas held their first meeting under the Turkish Presidency of the G20 in Istanbul on 15-16 December 2014. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Ayşe Sinirlioğlu, Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkey’s G20 Sherpa. Sherpas from across the G20´s membership attended, alongside representatives from several International Organisations and other invited countries.
Turkey´s Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan opened the meeting on 15 December. Discussion focused on Turkey’s Presidency priorities and work programme. Sherpas exchanged views on the global economic situation. All agreed that global growth is weak and uneven and that much remains to be done to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Sherpas reaffirmed the importance of the G20 in coping with these challenges.
Turkey´s Presidency priorities focus on three “I”s: Inclusiveness, Implementation and Investment. They were well received by Sherpas as a means to steer the G20’s efforts throughout the year. The Turkish Presidency aims to make progress on inclusive and robust growth through collective action. In order to deliver on these aims, better integrating SMEs and Low Income Developing Countries to the global economy is essential.
Discussions in Istanbul also focused on Employment, Development, Trade, Energy and Anti-Corruption. These topics will all be high on Turkey´s G20 agenda in 2015.
The Sherpa meeting also entailed dialogue sessions with engagement groups including the Business-20, Labour-20 and Think-20. Outreach activities will form an important part of the work of the G20 in 2015.
