The G20 Summit is a process that is still evolving. No one can predict how and where it will end up. The group was self-appointed as the “premier forum for international economic cooperation”. There are important questions related to membership and agenda that need to be addressed. But, like it or not, the process is here to stay.

At the Pittsburgh Summit in 2009, President Obama categorically announced that the G20 would replace the G8. Two G20 Summits were held a year later, in Toronto on 26–27 June and in Seoul on 11–12 November 2010. The Toronto Summit, among others, took stock of the implementation of exit strategies from the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies of the world's major economies. The Seoul Summit selected two additional longer-term issues for discussion. The first was financial safety nets to better insulate emerging markets from systemic instability. The second was actions to close the development gap, especially for the poorest. Issues related to climate change were also addressed in the G20. So how should Asia respond?

How Should Asia Respond?

Asia is represented in the G20 by six countries—China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan and—if it is defined as part of Asia—Australia. In addition to pursuing their bilateral agenda, say with the United States or the European Union, how can the Asian members of the G20 jointly synergise and leverage their growing economic and political clout into more effective participation in the G20? How can Asia collectively strengthen its voice in the G20? Three suggestions could be offered.

Firstly, realising the centrality of ASEAN in Asian regional architecture, Asian countries should lobby to formalise the membership of the ASEAN representatives in the G20.