ABSTRACT

The Group of 7 remains a significant actor in global governance, but the more representative Group of 20 has a greater role. The leaders of the informal G7-G20 are supported by ministers, working groups and other sub-summit entities such as task forces and expert groups. Ministers and working groups carry out the detailed work of both “Gs” and feed into the summits and the ministerial fora. The relationship of the G7 and G20 with international governmental organizations, especially the IMF, the World Bank, the UN, the OECD and the WHO are mutually beneficial. Non-state engagement groups bring expertise and the voice of civil society and business to the two Gs. Canada has played a major role in both fora, including the establishment of the G20 at the leaders' level and participating in and hosting summits, launching and supporting initiatives, producing scholarly contributions and performing an educational function. This article reviews the characteristics, agenda and structure of the G7 and the G20 and the relationship between them; discusses Canada’s role; the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic for both Gs; outlines potential trajectories and the challenges the G7 and G20 face; and answers the question: Will the G7 and G20 survive?

摘要

七国集团仍然是全球治理的重要参与者，但更具代表性的二十国集团发挥更大的作用。非正式 G7-G20 领导人得到部长、工作组和其他分峰会实体（如工作组和专家组）的支持。部长和工作组执行两个“Gs”的详细工作，并为峰会和部长论坛提供信息。七国集团和二十国集团与国际政府组织，特别是国际货币基金组织、世界银行、联合国、经合组织和世界卫生组织的关系是互惠互利的。非国家参与团体为这两个 G 带来了专业知识以及民间社会和企业的声音。加拿大在这两个论坛上都发挥了重要作用，包括在领导人层面建立 G20，参与和主办峰会，发起和支持倡议，产生学术贡献并发挥教育功能。本文回顾了G7和G20的特点、议程和结构以及它们之间的关系；讨论加拿大的角色；Covid-19 大流行对两个 G 的影响；概述七国集团和二十国集团面临的潜在发展轨迹和挑战；并回答了这个问题：G7 和 G20 会继续存在吗？