Thursday, October 13, 2011

G7 Meeting October 14-15 in Paris ~ G20 Meeting November 3-4-2011 in Cannes ...

G20 finance ministers will also meet in Paris on Oct 14-15, and Friday, September 23, 2011 ~ G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet ...

G20 - 2010-2011 ~ Exchange Rates ...G20 -2011 Links

What are the priorities for the French presidency of the G20 in 2011?

The G20 has provided collective and efficient responses to the worst financial crisis since the 1930s.

In 2011, the G20 will seek to conclude the existing actions designed to tackle the root causes of the crisis, and will broaden its agenda to include new actions aimed at sustainably improving global stability and prosperity.

Only the G20 has the power, authority and decision-making capacity to provide the crucial impetus to further today's major economic projects. It will do so via the following actions:

1 - Reforming the International Monetary System (IMS)

The recent past has witnessed high exchange rate volatility, increased global imbalances and ever-increasing stockpiling of foreign exchange reserves by emerging countries seeking to protect themselves against sudden, large-scale capital flight.

Continues ...read more ..

France wants to reform the international monetary system to establish collective responses to these deficiencies, and to provide support for the sweeping changes that the global economy is experiencing, particularly given the rise of the major emerging countries. A more stable, more robust IMS also involves reducing imbalances and better coordination of economic policies within the context of the G20's Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth.

2 - Strengthening financial regulation

As chair, in order to strengthen financial-sector oversight on a lasting basis, France will ensure that the rules decided upon by the G20 are put in place. It will also work to strengthen financial regulation in areas where it is still insufficient, for example with respect to regulation of the "shadow banking system" (i.e. the non-bank financial institutions whose practices are not regulated) and concerning financial market integrity and transparency.

3 - Combating commodity price volatility

At the September 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, the G20 examined the issue of excessive fluctuations in commodity prices for the first time, but few concrete measures have been taken to date.

France would like to find collective solutions in order to reduce excessive commodity price volatility, particularly of agricultural commodity prices, which undermines world growth and threatens food security for populations around the world. Specifically the G20 agricultural ministers will meet in June in order to propose solutions for strengthening food security and enhancing the agricultural supply.

Commodity price volatility
Food security

4 - Supporting employment and strengthening the social dimension of globalization

The French presidency has four priority objectives in this area: promoting employment, particularly for young people and disadvantaged individuals; stronger social protection; respect for social and labour rights; and improved coordination of strategies among international organisations. The G20 labour and employment ministers will discuss this agenda at a meeting in late September.

Employment and the social dimension of globalization

5 - Fighting corruption

The G20's efforts to fight corruption are part of a long-term overall strategy to clean up the business environment, to fight tax avoidance, and to strengthen the rule of law. The French presidency will ensure that the Anti-Corruption Action Plan adopted in Seoul will produce concrete results and real progress starting in 2011.

6 - Working on behalf of development

The G20, which accounts for two thirds of the world's population, has a duty to provide concrete solutions to development problems. This has been part of the G20's agenda since Seoul, with the adoption of the Multi-Year Action Plan on Development.

The French presidency will make specific efforts to support infrastructure development and to ensure food security in the most vulnerable countries. It will bring discussions on development financing to G20 level, via innovative financing and in particular a tax on financial transactions.

Next G7 Meeting October 14, 15, 2011

G7 meeting communique held in September,
Communiqué of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 - Washington DC, USA, 22 September 2011

We, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 are committed to a strong and coordinated international response to address the renewed challenges facing the global economy, notably heightened downside risks from sovereign stresses, financial system fragility, market turbulence, weak economic growth and unacceptably high unemployment.

We are taking strong actions to maintain financial stability, restore confidence and support growth. In Europe, Euro area countries have taken major actions to ensure the sustainability of public finances, and are implementing the decisions taken by Euro area Leaders on 21 July 2011. Specifically, the euro area will have implemented by the time of our next meeting the necessary actions to increase the flexibility of the EFSF and to maximize its impact in order to address contagion.

The US has put forward a significant package to strengthen growth and employment through public investments, tax incentives, and targeted jobs measures, combined with fiscal reforms designed to restore fiscal sustainability over the medium term. Japan is implementing substantial fiscal measures for reconstruction from the earthquake while ensuring the commitment to medium-term fiscal consolidation. Heightened downside risks have also made the economic environment for emerging markets and developing economies more challenging and they are adjusting their macro-economic policies accordingly to maintain stability and sustain growth. The contribution of the emerging market economies to global growth will increase as these economies as a whole move towards more domestic led growth, including through structural reforms and enhanced exchange rate flexibility to reflect economic fundamentals. We reiterate that excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates have adverse implications for economic and financial stability.

We are committed to supporting growth, implementing credible fiscal consolidation plans, and ensuring strong, sustainable and balanced growth. This will require a collective and bold action plan, with everyone doing their part. We are working together to put in place for the Cannes Summit such an action plan of coordinated policies with both short term decisions and a medium-long term perspective.

We commit to take all necessary actions to preserve the stability of banking systems and financial markets as required. We will ensure that banks are adequately capitalized and have sufficient access to funding to deal with current risks and that they fully implement Basel III along the agreed timelines. Central Banks will continue to stand ready to provide liquidity to banks as required. Monetary policies will maintain price stability and continue to support economic recovery.

We will review progress made in implementing the commitments made today at our next meeting.

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