2013 G20 Saint Petersburg summit

The 2013 G20 Saint Petersburg summit was the eighth meeting of the G20 heads of government/heads of state.[1][2] The hosting venue was the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 5–6 September 2013.[3]

2013 G20 Russia summit
Logo of the G20 Russia 2013 summit
Host countryRussia
Date5–6 September
MottoBoosting Economic Growth and Job Creation
Venue(s)Constantine Palace
CitiesSaint Petersburg
ParticipantsG20 members
Guest invitees: Spain, Kazakhstan, Singapore; ASEAN, African Union, NEPAD
Follows2012 G20 Los Cabos summit
Precedes2014 G20 Brisbane summit
WebsiteRussia G20

Syria
See also: International reactions to the Syrian civil war

The summit was dominated by questions regarding the Syrian civil war and any potential international reaction to the Ghouta chemical attacks. The summit came after U.S.-led efforts to obtain a UN Security Council resolution authorising military strikes against the Assad government had failed due to Russian and Chinese opposition. The House of Commons of the United Kingdom had defeated a motion regarding UK involvement in any strike on 30 August[4] and U.S. politicians were debating potential action as the summit was ongoing.[5]

Media billed the summit as a contest between U.S. President Barack Obama, trying to garner support for military action, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in opposition to any such action.[6] 11 countries signed a U.S.-authored statement blaming and condemning the Assad government for the attacks and calling for a "strong international response".[6]

Finance policy meetings

Russia, as this year's chair, hosted the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting in Moscow on 15 and 16 February 2013.[7] While preparing for the September summit, the most pressing subject addressed – "desperately" according to Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty – was protectionist actions such as competitive devaluations. Japan, represented by finance minister Taro Aso, "escape[d] criticism" for the 20% drop in the yen that had stemmed from its recent reflationary policies. The "nations declared ... there would be no currency war and deferred plans to set new debt-cutting targets, underlining broad concern about the fragile state of the world economy", per Reuters.[8]

Another meeting of the same participants was held in Moscow on 18 and 19 April 2013.[7]

Attendance
G20 leaders in front of the Constantine Palace.

This meeting was the second time an Australian Prime Minister could not be in attendance, with Kevin Rudd being represented by Foreign Minister Bob Carr, owing to the timing of a federal election on 7 September. In 2010, Rudd had been unable to attend when he was displaced as prime minister two days before the 2010 G20 Toronto summit, at which Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan then represented Australia.[9][10] During the summit, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh focused on the ongoing economic crisis and urged the G20 nations to pay more attention to their monetary policies.[11]

After a suggestion by South African President Zuma to invite additional representatives from African nations to St Petersburg, Russia's President Vladimir Putin declared that he appreciates this suggestion, and is ready to welcome leaders from the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to the G20 summit in St Petersburg. [12]

Participating leaders

Invited guests

References
  1. Russia will host G20 summit in 2013 Archived 19 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, at russkie-prostori.com, 6 March 2012
  2. Russia to host G20 summit in 2013 Archived 8 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, RIA Novosti,4 November 2011
  3. Saint Petersburg to hold G20 Summit of 2013 Archived 8 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Voice of Russia, 12 April 2012
  4. "Syria crisis: Cameron loses Commons vote on Syria action". BBC. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. "Obama: US cannot ignore Syria chemical weapons". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. Kendall, Bridget (7 September 2013). "Syria crisis: No clear winner in Russia-US G20 duel". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  7. "The G20". Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  8. Palmer, Randall, and Kelly, Lidia (16 February 2013) "Update 3: G20 steps back from currency brink, heat off Japan" Archived 18 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters, Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  9. Leaders arrive in Canada ahead of G8/G20 summits Archived 22 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine CTV News, 24 June 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2013
  10. Jorgensen, Hugh. If the G20 is so great, why isn't Rudd going? Archived 8 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine at Lowy Institute for International Policy, 7 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013
  11. "Manmohan Singh urges G20 Nation to review their Monetary Policies". Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  12. [=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/18129 Press statements following talks with President of South Africa Jacob Zuma]
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