Germany aims to build on China role as it assumes G20 presidency

Lars-Hendrik Roller, chief economic adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, expressed the importance of continuity and implementation of the G20 agenda at the start of a conference aimed at helping governmental officials form the agenda and discussion points for G20 meetings.

"We are going to work closely with China and Argentina, the 2018 summit host, to maintain continuity while injecting fresh content into the agenda-setting process," said Roller, who is also Germany’s G20 sherpa, the name given to organizing officials.

The Berlin meeting, being held over two days, was organized by the Bonn-based German Development Institute and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, two leading German think-tanks entrusted by the German government with coming up with policy suggestions for its G20 presidency.

The organizers say the meeting, attended by more than 300 representatives from nearly all the G20 economies, marked the formal start of Germany’s presidency.

Roller said Germany is well on the way to preparing to an agenda focused on policy, sustainability and responsibility, which he called the three pillars of a German presidency which would be targeted on global growth and sustainable development.

"What we believe is that the G20 agenda should go beyond economic success and bring in social and environmental dimensions," said Roller.

Chen Dongxiao, President of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, suggested that the German presidency should focus on continuity and implementation when he addressed a plenary discussion attended by Roller.

"We should remember that G20 leaders have already achieved many outcomes when they met in Hangzhou; they have already signed and entered into consensuses in many areas," said Chen, whose institute was one of the major Chinese think-thanks contributing to sustainability policy at Hangzhou.

"I should say it is essential to deliver such outcomes and consensuses."

Chen expressed concern that the new developments worldwide has added uncertainty in delivering the outcomes achieved at G20 levels.

Roller said he knows the Chinese leadership is very serious about implementing commitments and outcomes achieved at Hangzhou and Germany would maintain that direction.

Roller also emphasized that the German presidency will also focus on the priorities of economic growth, energy, climate change, health and the development of Africa, while addressing the refugee crisis.

The Berlin meeting is focusing particularly on climate policy, Africa, migration challenges and the UN’s 2030 agenda, which are expected to be highlighted during the German presidency.

"We are very happy that the Hangzhou summit was a success and especially that China has made the first step to let the Paris [climate] agreement be inserted into the agenda," said Dirk Messner, director of German Development Institute.

"And we should continue the efforts to integrate the 2030 agenda of the United Nations into the G20 agenda-setting process."

Reviewing the global economic situation and geopolitical developments, Messner said the German presidency faces tremendous difficulties and challenges. "Of course, we also have many opportunities to deliver," said Messner.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com