RIYADH — Aiming to address one of the key priorities of the Saudi G20 Presidency Agenda, which is to enhance access to opportunities for all, the first Framework Working Group (FWG) under the G20 Saudi Presidency met here for days (Monday and Tuesday) for discussions.

The Saudi team was led by Dr. Naif Alghaith and the working group was co-chaired by Clare Lombardelli, chief economic advisor of UK Treasury, and Sanjeev Sanyal, principal economic advisor of India's Ministry of Finance.

The meeting discussed the current risks facing the global economy and the preparedness for policy coordination among the G20 countries.

The meeting also discussed possible policy options to enhance access to opportunities for all with a special focus on women, youth and Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs).

The meeting follows a G20 symposium on enhancing access to opportunities that was held under the Saudi G20 Presidency on Dec. 5, 2019, in Riyadh.

The event included sessions on exploring the links between access to opportunities and economic growth, with a focus on the obstacles for women, youth, and SMEs.

Participants at the symposium also discussed the role of the public and private sectors in leveraging technology and innovation to create jobs, and opportunities that promote sustainable and inclusive growth.

During the meeting, Dr. Alghaith, stated, "It is an urgent priority to break barriers that prevent people from having access to economic opportunities."

He added, "We are working to identify the current conditions of the global economy, the economic risks and challenges facing our world, and the policy responses to mitigate downside risks."

The G20 FWG was established in the 2009 Pittsburgh Summit after the Leaders agreed to launch a framework that lays out the policies to generate strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive global growth. — SG