Leaders from the world''s top economies officially kicked off the two-day G20 Seoul Summit in Seoul on Thursday.

The meeting started with a welcome reception at the National Museum of Korea, where the President greeted the leaders of G20 nations, plus the five invited non-G20 nations and seven international organizations. Under the theme, "Shared Growth Beyond Crisis," the leaders began discussions on key agenda items at Coex Convention Center.

G20 Seoul Summit working dinner at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on Nov. 11.

At the working dinner, which took about 2 hours, leaders actively discussed a wide variety of topics. One of the most important topics under consideration was the framework for sustainable and balanced growth, which deputy finance ministers failed to narrow differences on during their three-day meeting.

"Let''s take one more step forward and come up with a concrete plan and accord for international cooperation at the Seoul summit," said the President at the working dinner. After the dinner, the leaders continued discussing the issues until late into the evening.

Aside from continuing discussions on currency issues, the G20 has nearly reached an agreement on the remaining key agenda items, such as the global financial safety net, development and financial regulatory reform.

After today’s sessions, G20 leaders plan to adopt a joint declaration summarizing their discussions and agreements. The President, as summit chair, will hold a press conference afterwards to officially announce the statement.

First lady Kim Yoon-ok hosted a dinner for the spouses of G-20 leaders at the private Leeum Museum on Thursday, while G20 participants were at the official working dinner.

First lady Kim Yoon-ok welcomes G-20 spouses.

"I''m really happy to meet all of you and would like to offer my heartfelt welcome," Kim said before the dinner. Kim, an active promoter of Korean cuisine, helped explain the intricacies of Korean food and food culture to her guests.

Just as the G20 Seoul Summit was starting up, the G20 Seoul Business Summit officially came to an end at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel on Thursday.

G20 Business summit in Seoul on Thursday, Nov. 11.

During the roundtable sessions, participants discussed trade and foreign direct investment, finance, green growth and corporate social responsibility, and submitted a total of 68 recommendations to the G-20 leaders.

In his welcoming address, the President stressed the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable and balanced growth, calling private enterprise one of the most important players in reviving and energizing the economy.