A G20 and Development Conference in Brisbane on Monday will demonstrate the potential impact and influence of the Group of Twenty.

Professor Fabrizio Carmignani, Griffith Business School, says it is an opportunity for the broader community to learn more about the G20 and how it operates.

The conference will be opened by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman at Rydges South Bank and brings together high-level delegates from around the world to investigate a role for the G20 in the development of the world’s poorest countries.

  • Conference Program here.

It has been organised by Griffith University and the Lowy Institute for International Policy.

“We will ask how the G20 can help address development challenges,” Professor Carmignani said.

“Some of the issues involved are beyond the scope of the G20 but the G20 can play an important role where other challenges are concerned.

“This is arguably the first practical example in Brisbane this year of how the G20 can affect the lives of people anywhere in the world. That is what the G20 is about, that is what it can do.

“The conference, therefore, is an opportunity to demonstrate to the people of Brisbane why it’s an honour and why it’s important that our city is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit later this year.”

The one-day conference brings together leading academics and international experts from organisations including the World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Vision and the OECD. Government policy makers will also take part in the talks.

“The G20 may be in an ideal position to take a leadership role in steering this debate around world poverty and the challenges faced by developing economies. It has the reputation and credibility to engage in policy dialogue with international organisations, national governments, the private sector and civil society.

Zia Qureshi (World Bank), Mike Callaghan AM (G20 Studies Centre, Lowy Institute), Emmanuel NNadozie (UN Economic Commission for Africa) and Nancy Waites (World Vision) are among the speakers, which will also include representatives of the Oxfam and IMF.

Professor Carmignani said the conference is effectively an outreach activity held in preparation for the Leaders Summit and intended to inform the G20 discussion.

“While areas like Brisbane and Queensland are not in need of development assistance, it is important that the Brisbane and wider Queensland community understand how Australia’s efforts to support developing countries worldwide can be made more effective through the G20.

“This year’s G20 is an opportunity to do something big in terms of development, and if that were to happen, it would always be associated with Australia’s presidency.”