America’s G20 opportunity
The G20 presidency offers a chance for the U.S. to reengage multilaterally and advance a pragmatic agenda on growth, energy, and innovation.
As the U.S. holds the G20 presidency through November 2026, a consortium of U.S. think tanks is convening an informal Think20 (T20) process to ensure that independent, evidence-based policy research informs global economic cooperation.
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What is the Think20?
Since 2012, think tanks from the G20 countries and beyond have convened to develop policy-oriented research and dialogue, generating practical recommendations that inform discussions across the G20’s Sherpa and Finance Tracks. Over time, the T20 has become an important mechanism for strengthening the connection between rigorous analysis and high-level policymaking, while promoting continuity and institutional memory across G20 presidencies. In years past, this has been a formalized process, but this year it is an informal and streamlined effort.
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What is the informal Think20 initiative?
In the absence of a formal T20 process in 2026, a group of U.S. think tanks, including the American Enterprise Institute, the Atlantic Council, the Brookings Institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Quincy Institute, and the Stimson Center, discussed how to sustain the T20 network in a streamlined way. Emerging from discussion was a proposal to launch an informal T20 initiative designed to sustain collaboration within the global think tank network, maintain a credible channel for independent policy exchange, and support a strong transition to future G20 presidencies.
This initiative will generate concise, policy-oriented notes that address core priorities of the U.S. G20 presidency as well as core G20 legacy issues.
The U.S. G20 presidency has emphasized three core priorities: removing regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovation. In addition, the administration has launched working groups to develop deliverables on these themes and to identify areas of consensus on trade.
Policy note contributions will be developed by think tanks from around the world, with an emphasis on analytical rigor, policy relevance, and balanced participation across advanced and emerging economies. At a time marked by economic fragmentation, fiscal pressures, and geopolitical uncertainty, independent analysis and cross-border dialogue remain essential to sustaining effective global cooperation.
Workstreams
The informal T20 is operating under the overarching theme “Harnessing knowledge and ensuring continuity in uncertain times” and will be organized around the following workstreams:
- Fostering Economic Growth and Shared Prosperity
- Strengthening Energy Security, Affordability, and Resilience
- Pioneering Innovation and Digital Transformation
- Mobilizing Finance and Tackling Debt Sustainability
- Sustaining and Strengthening Global Cooperation and Governance
Each workstream will be co-led by at least one U.S. think tank in collaboration with global think tank partners (to be announced). Each workstream will produce a set of policy notes that reflects issues under active discussion in the G20 Sherpa and Finance Tracks, as well as cross-cutting challenges that require sustained multilateral attention.
Informal T20 meetings
- Informal T20 Workstreams Inception Meeting
April 16 (Washington, D.C.) - Global Solutions Summit
June 2026 (Berlin, Germany) - Informal T20 Bangkok Conference
October 2026 (Bangkok, Thailand) - Informal T20 New York Event
November 18-19 (New York, New York)
G20 meetings
- Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting
April 16 (Washington, D.C.) - Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting
August 29-30 (Asheville, North Carolina) - Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting
August 31-September 1 (Asheville, North Carolina) - Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting
October 15 (Bangkok, Thailand) - G20 Leaders’ Summit
December 14-15 (Miami, Florida)
Related work
Strengthening cooperation for a changing world
Colin I. Bradford and Brahima S. Coulibaly offer recommendations to enhance the G20’s effectiveness and impact.