Joining forces : reviving multilateralism through multi-stakeholder cooperation

The Group of 20 (G20) has a proven record of multi-stakeholder engagement, exemplified by groups such as the Business 20 (B20), Civil Society 20 (C20), and Think 20 (T20). However, the evolution of this engagement has been ad hoc, the scope limited, the impact inchoate, and the results inconsistent. This brief calls for a systematic reconsideration and expansion of the G20’s multi-stakeholder engagement, first by an audit of existing structures. In addition, a “light-touch” secretariat should be established to better coordinate state and non-state actors. This way, both the legitimacy and effectiveness of the G20 could be increased.