The Agenda of the G20 Seoul Summit Click here for Details

Follow-up Agenda

The G20 Seoul Summit, above all, will focus on following up on previous G20 commitments which include :

* Safeguarding the ongoing recovery and restoring fiscal sustainability
* Ensuring strong, sustainable, and balanced global growth
* Building a stronger international financial regulatory system
* Modernizing international financial institutions

Korean cars to carry international leaders for the summ- click here for deatil

When they visit Seoul for next month’s G20 Seoul Summit, the international leaders will ride in Equus limousines manufactured by Hyundai-Kia Motors. The car is equipped with a bullet-proof security system and an automatic break alert system, with emergency lights that turn on automatically if the breaks are activated abruptly. The summit will require a total of 240 official vehicles to transport G20 leaders.

Did you know? Click here for Detail

The seating plan is not revealed until the last minute

The Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit will not unveil the seating plan until right before the event, because countries lobby for the order of protocol and seating. The general protocol follows the order of heads of state, heads of government, and representatives from international organizations. Within each group, the order of inauguration and year of an organization’s foundation will be considered.

What does the hosting of the G20 Seoul Summit mean to Korea? - click for detail

For a very long time, Korea has never been given a chance to establish international structures or frameworks. It had a challenging time just acquiring a membership to international organizations such as to the UN and the OECD. But with the hosting of the G20 Seoul Summit coming November, Korea has now opened a new diplomatic horizon for itself. Korea can now add its own voice to the global economic order as a rule-setter, not as a mere rule-follower; has moved from the periphery to the center of the global stage.

Congratulatory messages from international leaders - Click for detail

"Korea’s history qualifies it for a leadership role in this changing global economy. Korea is one of the world’s great development success stories successfully advancing from a receiver of development assistance to a provider. Korea is ensuring that the voices of those outside the G20 are heard."

To view the full message of Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank Group President :
http://www.seoulsummit.kr/e_popup/pop_seoul_01.html

"The Korean Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit has brought together a formidable team, uniting the best talent in each policy field. Korea’s own development story and its rapid recovery from the mid-1990s Asian financial crisis are also remarkable, and serve to help and inspire us all."

To view the full message of Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary-General :
http://www.seoulsummit.kr/e_popup/pop_seoul_02.html

"The Government of Korea is exercising strong and effective leadership as the Chair of the G20 at this important stage. A key milestone for much of the financial reform agenda is the Seoul G20 Summit in November. Working in close co-operation, I am confident that the G20 and the FSB will be able in 2010 to put in place the basis for a much stronger and more resilient financial system for the future."

To view the full message of Mario Draghi, FSB (Financial Stability Board) Chief :
http://www.seoulsummit.kr/e_popup/pop_seoul_03.html

Who are the G20 and their heads of state?- click here for detail

The G20 includes 19 countries and the European Union.

* G7 : US, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy
* 4 Asian Countries : Republic of Korea, China, India, Indonesia
* 3 Latin American Countries : Argentina, Brazil, Mexico
* 4 European Countries : Russia, Turkey, Australia, the EU Chair
* South Africa and Saudi Arabia

Who else will participate in the Seoul Summit in addition to the G20? - click for detail

Korea will invite 5 non-member countries and 7 international organizations to the G20 Seoul Summit (scheduled for November 11-12) that have close relationships with the agendas of the summit.

The 5 non-members are Malawi, Vietnam, Spain, Singapore and Ethiopia, and the 7 international organizations include the United Nations, International Labor Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, World Trade Organization, and the Financial Stability Board.

Non-G20 member countries have been invited to previous G20 summits in order to enhance the effectiveness and representativeness of the meeting.

About the G20 (Group of 20) From the G7 to the G20 - click for details

The G20 was formally established at the G7 Finance Ministers’ meeting on 26 September 1999. The emergence of the G20 stemmed from the changing economic reality – a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and to a growing recognition that key emerging countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance.

So, the original G7 (composed of the US, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Italy) grew to the G20. At the third G20 summit held in Pittsburgh on September 24-25, 2009, the G20 was designated as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Today, the G20 represents two thirds of the world’s population and nearly 88% of the world’s economy.

The Fascinating World of Hangul Calligraphy (click here for detail)

There is a growing interest for hangul (the Korean alphabet) not only as a set of highly scientific and pragmatic alphabets but also as an artistic theme. Hangul is now being re-discovered as calligraphy (the art of fancy lettering) and as a fashion component. Get introduced to the fascinating world of hangul calligraphy which is now used everywhere, far and wide, from movie posters, book jackets, record covers, to product advertisements!

Benefits of Red Ginseng (click here for detail)

In these crisp, pleasant autumn days, are you one of those people who feel always tired and somewhat lethargic, dozing in the bus and missing your stop? If you are, then I’d like to introduce you to a certain health food: Red ginseng. According to an experiment conducted in Milan, Italy, the group who was given ginseng showed a significant decline in the frequency of colds and flus. Other benefits of red ginseng besides boosting up your immune system include reducing fatigue, fat, cholesterol, improving blood circulation, and enhancing your stamina in general. Learn more about this wonder food!