POLICY OUTPUT FOR THE G20
The Council for Global Problem-Solving (CGP) is a circle of world-class think tanks and research institutions committed to providing long-term policy advice to the G20 and associated international organizations.
The CGP forms the research base and intellectual core of the Global Solutions Initiative. Policy recommendations are accessible below via the G20 Insights platform.
Think 20 Dialogue
The Global Solutions Initiative supports the T20 process for think tanks by linking the recommendations of past G20 Presidencies with the current G20 Presidency and generating recommendations that serve to recouple economies, polities and the environment with social prosperity. In 2020, the T20 process is being led by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center under the Saudi Arabia G20-Presidency. Past Think20 Summits were held by Japan in Tokyo on May 26-27, 2019, by Argentina in Buenos Aires on September 17-18, 2018 and by Germany in Berlin on May 29-30, 2017.
Global Solutions Summit
The annual Global Solutions Summit held by the Global Solutions Initiative brings together international research organizations, thought-leaders and decision-makers from politics, business and civil communities. The Summit aims to provide policy recommendations on major G20 issues and to serve as a stepping stone in the Think20 and G20 calendar. Participants from the Council for Global Problem-solving (CGP) member institutes, as well as potential CGP-member representatives from Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Spain, join in workshops and meetings at the Global Solutions Summit. The next Global Solutions Summit under the Italian G20 Presidency will take place in Berlin, Germany on May 27th and 28th, 2021. More information is available here.
Videos
Latest Recommendations
-
Revitalizing Multilateral Governance at the World Trade Organization: Executive Brief based on the Report of the High-Level Board of Experts on the Future of Global Trade Governance
The trading system is in crisis. Urgent action is needed to revitalize its central organ, the World Trade Organization (WTO). Such action must come from its Members and be based on renewed multilateral dialogue on the use and effects of trade-distorting policies in both developed and developing nations. Dialogue is also needed to resolve conflicts regarding the operation of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism and to assess the functioning of the organization.
The fundamental consensus norm has been abused to resist multilateral discussion of new policy areas and concerns regarding the functioning of the organization. Members should reflect on whether WTO bodies provide them with the information they need to assess implementation of existing agreements and identify gaps where the rules need to be updated. Without discussing how the WTO operates, Members will not be able to create a framework for issues such as the governance of digital trade or how to enhance trade’s contribution to societal goals.
All WTO members benefit from the rules-based trading system. Participating in mega-regional trade agreements offers a complementary vehicle for cooperation to countries willing to deepen integration of markets, but this is not a viable alternative for many developing countries and risks fragmenting the rules that apply to global value chains. Nor will such agreements discipline key trade-distorting instruments such as subsidies.Safeguarding the WTO is particularly important for smaller countries. Only the multilateral trading system offers them the opportunity to influence the development of new trade rules.
Download the full publication here.
-
Ageing, Investment and Foreign Trade – a Macroeconomic Perspective
In an ageing society, when a growing number of pensioners meets a decreasing number of working people, this leads to a decline in per capita GDP under otherwise unchanged conditions. However, the decline in the number of people in employment can be offset by higher labour productivity. Increased input of capital and technology increases the capital intensity of production and thus increases labour productivity. The investments required for this can be increased by net capital imports from abroad, including the corresponding trade balance deficit. Alternatively, in the phase when baby boomers are still in working age, the country can increase its investments at an early stage by reducing existing export surpluses.
Download the full publication here.

Over 30 participants from the Council for Global Problem-solving (CGP) member institutes, as well as potential CGP-member representatives from...