The G20 Seoul Summit begins Thursday evening with a welcome reception held at the National Museum of Korea.  It will be followed by a working dinner, where world leaders will discuss many of the important issues the summit seeks to address.

With “Shared Growth Beyond Crisis” as its theme, the Seoul Summit is expected to lay groundwork for global economic recovery. The summit aims to ensure balanced, sustainable growth, while concretely addressing the world economy’s current problems.

There will be seven topics on the agenda, including currency and financial system reforms, a global financial safety net, and development issues.

Leaders from G20 member states, along with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations, will convene at Coex for the two-day meeting. Nearly 4,000 people are expected to attend the summit in total.

On November 12, leaders of both advanced and emerging economies will meet to decide on steps to reduce market volatility and foster economic growth, while ensuring member states avoid protectionist policies.

Currency issues are expected to be a major priority for the participants, with discussions on both days of the summit.

The morning sessions on Nov. 12 will focus on reforming the international financial system, creating a global financial safety net, and financial inclusion for states in all stages of development. During the working lunch, there will be discussions on trade, climate change and green growth.  The afternoon will see talks on financial regulatory reform, and the final session will address energy, corruption and business issues.

The outcome of the G20 Seoul Summit will be presented during the closing ceremony. The President will hold an official press conference on the G20 Seoul Summit’s agenda and its key outcomes after the ceremony for local and international media.

Tomorrow evening, G20 representatives, their spouses and Business Summit attendees will take part in a farewell dinner and art performance, the last official event for the summit.

Prior to the official start of the Summit, G20 member states held bilateral and multilateral summit talks.

The President met with G20 leaders prior to the summit, and on Nov. 10 he met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.  Medvedev was in Seoul not only for the summit, but to return an official state visit the President made to Russia in 2008.

The President(right) at a summit meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Seoul on November 10.

The President and Medvedev agreed to continue co-operation in international affairs and confirmed a bilateral strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Russia.

More talks are scheduled for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Nov. 13-14 in Yokohama, Japan.