INTRODUCTION & WELCOME 13
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G20 is always geared towards technocratic
problem-solving behind closed doors and
mediation instead of confrontation. This new
format is not interested in the assignment of guilt
or expressing it in irrelevant historical analogies
of the last century. international community and it rarely brings
the desired results. Soft power may not be
particularly theatrical and it certainly is not a
quick solution, but we must acknowledge that it
has never escalated a critical situation. Nor has
it created new problems.
Together, the G20-community has created
a new gold standard in global governance.
Speedy and united efforts can tackle even
the most fundamental crisis. The emphasis
has always to be on effective problem solving,
rather than problem analysis for intellectual
self-gratification. In the 21st century, ideological
considerations should be secondary to the
global macroeconomic interest. Unilateral
action will never provide satisfactory results
and prevention will always be superior to the
repetition of past mistakes. Hard power will
always bring macroeconomic costs to the In this context, the G20 nations must
acknowledge that they can no longer limit their
agenda to matters of economics and finance.
Recent history has shown us that a range of acute
regional conflicts as well humanitarian crises affect
the global community and have to be approached
in a collective effort. From an economic point of
view, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the European
migration crisis and tensions over territorial claims
in the South China Sea, can no longer be seen as
regional problems. In each case, serious conflict-
resolution will only be achieved by
global mediation.
This reality has to be acknowledged by future
hosts as well as the participants. G20 is no
longer only about the optimisation of taxes: It
is also about the prevention of death and the
elimination of injustice. Q