The Role of American Countries in the G20
On February 24, 2025, the Georgetown Americas Institute hosted a discussion on the book The Challenge of the American Countries at the G20 (2024), a compilation of insights from presidential sherpas and distinguished academics from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States collected by former Argentine Ambassador to the United States Jorge Argüello. The event featured Argüello, alongside Federico Pinedo, Argentine sherpa to the G20, and Cynthia Termorshuizen, Canadian sherpa to the G20 and G7. The discussion was introduced by GAI Founding Director Alejandro Werner, with introductory remarks by Christian Asinelli of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America. Luis Scasso of the Organization of Ibero-American States delivered the closing remarks.
Setting the Stage
Werner highlighted the significance of the G20 as a platform for shaping global governance and the importance of Latin American participation in these discussions. He noted that the book serves as a crucial resource in understanding the evolving role of American nations in multilateralism, especially in the face of global challenges such as economic instability, geopolitical tensions, and increasing inequality.
Asinelli emphasized the book’s contribution on the challenges of global governance from the perspective of the Americas. He explained that the book was born out of a need to analyze the G20’s relevance to the region and to propose strategies for improving engagement. Asinelli stressed that multilateral institutions remain key spaces for decision-making, particularly at a time when global challenges, such as economic inequality and political polarization, are testing the effectiveness of international cooperation. He underscored that institutions like CAF - Development Bank of Latin America play a crucial role in promoting regional dialogue and fostering long-term collaboration among American nations.
The Americas in the G20
Argüello provided a detailed overview of the book, focusing on three key challenges facing American countries in the G20: inequality, leadership fragmentation, and international conflict. He argued that while the G20 is a platform where the Americas can assert influence, their impact is often diminished by a lack of coordination and inconsistent participation in multilateral decision-making.
Argüello pointed to economic inequality as a major obstacle preventing Latin America from fully leveraging its position within the G20, noting that despite some progress in poverty reduction, structural disparities persist, limiting the region’s ability to compete on a global scale. He warned that without cohesive policies addressing these economic gaps, the region risks falling further behind in the global economic order.
Regarding leadership fragmentation, Argüello believes that the absence of a long-term, unified regional vision has hindered the Americas’ ability to influence global discussions. He explained that while countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina have played important roles in the G20, their shifting domestic political priorities often prevent them from presenting a consistent regional agenda.
Finally, Argüello discussed the impact of international conflict on the region’s role in the G20. He observed that global tensions—such as the war in Ukraine and shifting U.S.-China relations—have reshaped economic and diplomatic alliances, forcing American countries to navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. He stressed that while the G20 remains a key space for Latin America to advocate for its interests, the region must take a more proactive stance in shaping global governance.
Challenges and Opportunities: A Panel Discussion with G20 Sherpas
Federico Pinedo reflected on Argentina’s role in the G20, describing the forum as an essential space for the country to advocate for economic stability and inclusive development. He highlighted Argentina’s efforts to balance its national priorities with regional cooperation but acknowledged that domestic political shifts often disrupt the country’s engagement in multilateral institutions. Pinedo emphasized the need for long-term policies that extend beyond electoral cycles, arguing that sustained participation in global governance requires a commitment to institutional stability.
He also noted that Latin America faces a structural disadvantage in multilateral spaces, as it lacks the economic and geopolitical weight of other global actors. However, he stressed that by coordinating policies and presenting a united front, American nations could enhance their influence on key issues such as trade, finance, and technological development.
Termorshuizen provided insights from Canada’s perspective, noting the country’s commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. She mentioned that Canada has consistently prioritized issues such as climate change, global health security, and digital transformation in its G20 agenda. However, she acknowledged that stronger collaboration with Latin American countries could help amplify the region’s voice on these issues.
“The book project really helps showcase why multilateralism matters and how bodies like the G20 have helped generate concrete solutions to the biggest issues of our time given that the world is arguably at a tipping point.”-Cynthia Termorshuizen
Termorshuizen highlighted the importance of institutional continuity, arguing that fluctuating domestic policies weaken long-term commitments to multilateral engagement. She also pointed out that while Canada shares economic and political ties with both North and South America, there is still untapped potential for deeper regional cooperation within the G20 framework.
Looking Ahead
Scasso reiterated the need for American countries to embrace long-term institutional thinking rather than reactive policymaking, highlighting education, technological innovation, and economic resilience as critical areas where regional collaboration could strengthen the Americas’ position within the G20. He also mentioned that while structural challenges remain, initiatives like this book, and the discussions it generates, are crucial for fostering informed debates and strategic action among policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders across the hemisphere.
Q&A: Addressing Regional Coordination and Future Strategies
During the Q&A session, participants raised questions about the feasibility of greater regional coordination and the specific policy areas where American countries could collaborate more effectively. Panelists acknowledged that while political divergences often hinder unity, there are opportunities for cooperation in key areas such as energy policy, sustainable development, and digital governance.
A recurring theme in the discussion was the challenge of maintaining consistent engagement in global forums despite changes in political leadership. Panelists stressed that strengthening regional institutions and fostering long-term policy commitments would be essential for ensuring a stable and influential presence in the G20. The event closed with a call for continued dialogue and research on the role of the Americas in global governance, emphasizing the need for strategic coordination to maximize the region’s impact in shaping international economic and political policies.