Middle Powers and the G20: Modest Proposals for Cooperation

Abstract

The chapter explores the possibility of further strengthening the G20 with the active cooperation among middle powers. While the G8 and BRICS become more cohesive and the G20 grows less influential, the five middle powers have a stake in making the G20 a relevant forum of multilateral discussion of the most pressing issues. Even though they lack strong ties to form a cohesive bloc like the G8 or BRIGS, they can cooperate and coordinate in different ways. The middle powers have to exercise their diplomatic capabilities to reach out to other multilateral institutions as well as their regional neighbors. Issues such as development, human security, reform of the international financial institutions, and climate change and green growth are some of the promising issues that the middle powers can focus on.