G20 Leaders’ declaration
Building consensus for fair and sustainable development
1. Ten years since the first G20 Leaders’ Summit we met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 30 November1 December 2018 to build consensus for fair and sustainable development through an agenda that is
people-centred, inclusive and forward-looking.
2. This year we have focused on the following pillars: the future of work, infrastructure for
development, a sustainable food future and a gender mainstreaming strategy across the G20 agenda.
3. We have addressed our agenda promoting dialogue and the search for common ground. Building
consensus requires the commitment of the society as a whole. Our discussions have been enriched by
our engagement with stakeholder communities.
4. We welcome the strong global economic growth while recognizing it has been increasingly less
synchronized between countries and some of the key risks, including financial vulnerabilities and
geopolitical concerns, have partially materialized. We also note current trade issues. We reaffirm our
pledge to use all policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, and
safeguard against downside risks, by stepping up our dialogue and actions to enhance confidence.
Monetary policy will continue to support economic activity and ensure price stability, consistent with
central banks’ mandates. Fiscal policy should rebuild buffers where needed, be used flexibly and be
growth-friendly, while ensuring public debt is on a sustainable path. Continued implementation of
structural reforms will enhance our growth potential. We reaffirm the exchange rate commitments
made by the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors last March. We endorse the Buenos Aires
Action Plan.
5. We renew our commitment to work together to improve a rules-based international order that is
capable of effectively responding to a rapidly changing world.
6. Transformative technologies are expected to bring immense economic opportunities, including new
and better jobs, and higher living standards. The transition, however, will create challenges for
individuals, businesses and governments. Policy responses and international cooperation will help
ensure that the benefits of the technological transformation are widely shared. We endorse the Menu
of Policy Options for the Future of Work which we will draw on, considering individual country
circumstances, to: harness technology to strengthen growth and productivity; support people during
transitions and address distributional challenges; secure sustainable tax systems; and ensure that the
best possible evidence informs our decision-making.
7. We remain committed to building an inclusive, fair and sustainable Future of Work by promoting
decent work, vocational training and skills development, including reskilling workers and improving
labour conditions in all forms of employment, recognizing the importance of social dialogue in this
area, including work delivered through digital platforms, with a focus on promoting labour
formalization and making social protection systems strong and portable, subject to national law and
circumstances. We will continue to foster cognitive, digital and entrepreneurship skills, and encourage
the collection and exchange of good practices. We will promote increasing labour force participation
of underrepresented as well as vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. We will
implement policies to improve the employment situation of young people, consistent with the G20
Antalya Youth Goal. We will take actions to eradicate child labour, forced labour, human trafficking
and modern slavery in the world of work, including through fostering sustainable supply chains. We

will endeavor to further create enabling conditions for resource mobilization from public, private and
multilateral resources, including innovative financial mechanisms and partnerships, such as impact
investment for inclusive and sustainable growth, in line with the G20 Call on Financing for Inclusive
Business.
8. Access to education is a human right and a strategic public policy area for the development of more
inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful societies. We underline the importance of girls´ education. To
equip our citizens to reap the benefits of societal and technological innovations we will promote
coordination between employment and equitable quality education policies, so we can develop
comprehensive strategies that promote key competences such as learning to learn, foundation and
digital skills, in a lifelong learning perspective from early childhood. We acknowledge the need to
foster evidence-based innovative pedagogies and methods for all levels of education.
9. To maximize the benefits of digitalization and emerging technologies for innovative growth and
productivity, we will promote measures to boost micro, small and medium enterprises and
entrepreneurs, bridge the digital gender divide and further digital inclusion, support consumer
protection, and improve digital government, digital infrastructure and measurement of the digital
economy. We reaffirm the importance of addressing issues of security in the use of ICTs. We support
the free flow of information, ideas and knowledge, while respecting applicable legal frameworks, and
working to build consumer trust, privacy, data protection and intellectual property rights protection.
We welcome the G20 Repository of Digital Policies to share and promote the adoption of innovative
digital economy business models. We recognize the importance of the interface between trade and
the digital economy. We will continue our work on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and
new business platforms.
10. Infrastructure is a key driver of economic prosperity, sustainable development and inclusive
growth. To address the persistent infrastructure financing gap, we reaffirm our commitment to attract
more private capital to infrastructure investment. To achieve this, we endorse the Roadmap to
Infrastructure as an Asset Class and the G20 Principles for the Infrastructure Project Preparation
Phase. We are taking actions to achieve greater contractual standardization, address data gaps and
improve risk mitigation instruments. In line with the Roadmap, we look forward to progress in 2019
on quality infrastructure.
11. Building on the G20 Food Security and Nutrition Framework, we reaffirm our commitment to
tackling the challenges of food security, which is crucial to achieving a world free of hunger and all
forms of malnutrition. We will promote dynamism in rural areas and sustainable agriculture, conscious
of the importance of sustainable soil, water and riverbanks management supported by individual
countries voluntarily, taking into consideration the specific needs of family and small-holder farmers.
We encourage the voluntary use and sharing of innovative as well as traditional agricultural practices
and technologies. We highlight the importance of collaboration among public and private
stakeholders to strengthen risk management, facilitate adaptation to a changing environment, protect
biodiversity and provide effective responses to reduce the impacts of extreme weather on agriculture.
We will increase efforts to engage with the private sector, the scientific community and all other
relevant stakeholders to enhance value addition, productivity, efficiency, sustainability and upgrading
in Agro-Food Global Value Chains and encourage initiatives to reduce food loss and waste.
12. Gender equality is crucial for economic growth and fair and sustainable development. We are
making progress in achieving our Brisbane commitment to reduce the gender gap in labour force
participation rates by 25% by 2025 but affirm that more needs to be done. We will continue to
promote initiatives aimed at ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls and genderbased violence. We commit to promoting women’s economic empowerment, including by working
with the private sector, to improve labour conditions for all, such as through access to quality and

affordable care infrastructure and parental leave, and reducing the gender pay gap. We also commit
to promote women’s access to leadership and decision-making positions, the development of women
and girls’ digital skills and increasing their participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) and high-tech sectors. We welcome the continued implementation of the Women
Entrepreneurs Financing Initiative (We-Fi), and we thank the Business Women Leaders’ Taskforce for
its work. Drawing from this experience, we will consider how to better engage with women
entrepreneurs.
13. Mobilizing sustainable finance and strengthening financial inclusion are important for global
growth. We welcome the Sustainable Finance Synthesis Report 2018, which presents voluntary
options to support deployment of sustainable private capital. We endorse the G20 Financial Inclusion
Policy Guide, which provides voluntary policy recommendations to facilitate digital financial services,
taking into account country contexts and the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion Roadmap
which outlines a process to streamline its work program and structure.
14. We launch the G20 Initiative for Early Childhood Development and stand ready to join all
stakeholders in enhancing quality and sustainably financed early childhood programs that consider
the multidimensional approach of ECD, as means of building human capital to break the cycle of
intergenerational and structural poverty, and of reducing inequalities, specially where young children
are most vulnerable.
15. We encourage the activities of World Health Organization (WHO), together with all relevant actors,
to develop an action plan for implementation of health-related aspects of SDGs by 2030. We commend
the progress made by the international community in developing and implementing National and
Regional Action Plans on Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) based on One-Health approach. We
recognize the need for further multi-sectoral action to reduce the spread of AMR, as it is increasingly
becoming a global responsibility. We note the work done by the Global AMR R&D Hub and, drawing
on this, we look forward to further examine practical market incentives. We will tackle malnutrition,
with a special focus on childhood overweight and obesity, through national, community-based and
collaborative multi-stakeholder approaches. We reaffirm the need for stronger health systems
providing cost effective and evidence-based intervention to achieve better access to health care and
to improve its quality and affordability to move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), in line with
their national contexts and priorities. This may encompass, where appropriate, scientifically proven
traditional and complementary medicine, assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of health
services. We will continue to strengthen core capacities required by International Health Regulations
(IHR, 2005) for prevention, detection and response to public health emergencies, while recognizing
the critical role played by WHO in this regard. We are committed to ending HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and
malaria, and look forward to a successful 6° replenishment of the Global Fund in 2019.
16. We note the 2018 G20 Annual International Migration and Displacement Trends and Policies
Report prepared by the OECD in cooperation with ILO, IOM and UNHCR. We will consider how to
continue the dialogue on these issues under the next presidency.
17. Large movements of refugees are a global concern with humanitarian, political, social and
economic consequences. We emphasize the importance of shared actions to address the root causes
of displacement and to respond to growing humanitarian needs.
18. We reaffirm our commitment to leading the transformation towards sustainable development and
support the 2030 Agenda as the framework for advancing this goal and the G20 Action Plan. The
Buenos Aires Update outlines the G20 current collective and concrete actions towards achieving that
Agenda, recognizing that South-South and triangular cooperation have an important role to
implement it. We underline our continued support to the G20 Africa Partnership, including the

Compact with Africa, and other relevant initiatives. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing illicit
financial flows that have a detrimental effect on domestic resources mobilization and will continue to
take stock of progress. We endorse the G20 High Level Principles on Sustainable Habitat through
Regional Planning.
19. A strong economy and a healthy planet are mutually reinforcing. We note the latest IPCC Special
Report on the Impacts of Global Warming of 1.5 degrees centigrade. We recognize the importance of
comprehensive adaptation strategies, including investment in infrastructure that is resilient to
extreme weather events and disasters. In this sense, we support actions and cooperation in
developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable, including small island states
such as those in the Caribbean. We discussed long-term low greenhouse gas emission development
strategies and alignment of international finance flows. We also shared countries´ experiences and
considered the 2018-2019 work program on adaptation, acknowledging that each country may chart
its own path to achieving a low emission future. We look forward to successful outcomes of the
UNFCCC COP24, and to engage in the Talanoa Dialogue.
20. Signatories to the Paris Agreement, who have also joined the Hamburg Action Plan, reaffirm that
the Paris Agreement is irreversible and commit to its full implementation, reflecting common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.
We will continue to tackle climate change, while promoting sustainable development and economic
growth.
21. The United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and affirms its
strong commitment to economic growth and energy access and security, utilizing all energy sources
and technologies, while protecting the environment.
22. We recognize the crucial role of energy in helping shape our shared future and we encourage
energy transitions that combine growth with decreasing greenhouse gas emissions towards cleaner,
more flexible and transparent systems, and cooperation in energy efficiency. We recognize the
opportunities for innovation, growth, and job creation through increased investment into cleaner and
sustainable energy sources -including renewables-, technologies and infrastructure. We acknowledge
the role of all energy sources and technologies in the energy mix and different possible national paths
to achieve cleaner energy systems under the term ‘transitions’. We will promote energy security,
sustainability, resilience, efficiency, affordability and stability, acknowledging that there are varied
sources of energy and technological advances to achieve a low emissions future. We continue to
promote universal energy access by eradicating energy poverty, cooperating to provide displaced
people and disaster-impacted and remote areas with access to it, and through enhanced
implementation of G20 regional plans.
23. Strong and effective international financial institutions help underpin growth and sustainable
development. We reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening the global financial safety net
with a strong, quota-based, and adequately resourced IMF at its centre. We are committed to
concluding the 15th General Review of Quotas including a new quota formula by the Spring Meetings
and no later than the Annual Meetings of 2019. We call on the IMF and World Bank to work with
borrowers and creditors to improve the recording, monitoring and transparent reporting of public and
private debt obligations. We look forward to the IMF review of programme conditionality and the
review of its debt limits policy.
24. We will continue to monitor cross border capital flows and deepen our understanding of the
available tools, so we can harness their benefits while also managing the risks and enhancing
resilience. We will continue to take steps to address debt vulnerabilities in low income countries by
supporting capacity building in public debt and financial management, and strengthening domestic

policy frameworks. We will work towards enhancing debt transparency and sustainability, and
improving sustainable financing practices by borrowers and creditors, both official and private,
including infrastructure financing. We support ongoing work by the IMF, WBG and Paris Club on LICs
debt and the continued efforts of the Paris Club towards the broader inclusion of emerging creditors.
We welcome the final report of the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance.
25. An open and resilient financial system, grounded in agreed international standards, is crucial to
support sustainable growth. We remain committed to the full, timely and consistent implementation
and finalization of the agreed financial reform agenda, and the evaluation of its effects. We will
continue to monitor and, if necessary, tackle emerging risks and vulnerabilities in the financial system;
and, through continued regulatory and supervisory cooperation, address fragmentation. We look
forward to continued progress on achieving resilient non-bank financial intermediation. We will step
up efforts to ensure that the potential benefits of technology in the financial sector can be realized
while risks are mitigated. We will regulate crypto-assets for anti-money laundering and countering the
financing of terrorism in line with FATF standards and we will consider other responses as needed. We
thank Mr. Mark Carney for his service as FSB Chair and we welcome the appointment of Mr. Randal K
Quarles, as Chair of the FSB and of Mr. Klaas Knot, as Vice Chair.
26. We will continue our work for a globally fair, sustainable, and modern international tax system
based, in particular on tax treaties and transfer pricing rules, and welcome international cooperation
to advance pro-growth tax policies. Worldwide implementation of the OECD/G20 Base Erosion and
Profit Shifting package remains essential. We will continue to work together to seek a consensusbased solution to address the impacts of the digitalization of the economy on the international tax
system with an update in 2019 and a final report by 2020. We welcome the commencement of the
automatic exchange of financial account information and acknowledge the strengthened criteria
developed by the OECD to identify jurisdictions that have not satisfactorily implemented the tax
transparency standards. Defensive measures will be considered against listed jurisdictions. All
jurisdictions should sign and ratify the multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in
Tax Matters. We continue to support enhanced tax certainty and tax capacity building in developing
countries, including through the Platform for Collaboration on Tax.
27. International trade and investment are important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job
creation and development. We recognize the contribution that the multilateral trading system has
made to that end. The system is currently falling short of its objectives and there is room for
improvement. We therefore support the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. We
will review progress at our next Summit.
28. Recalling our commitments from Hangzhou and Hamburg, we welcome the concrete policy
solutions developed by the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC), facilitated by the OECD.
We call on all members to implement the Berlin and Paris GFSEC Ministerial recommendations and
commitments. We look forward to a substantive report by June 2019.
29. We remain committed to prevent and fight corruption and lead by example. We agree on the new
action plan 2019-2021 and endorse Principles on Preventing Corruption and Ensuring Integrity in
State-Owned Enterprises and on Preventing and Managing Conflicts of Interest in the Public Sector.
These will foster transparency and integrity in the public and private sectors. We will continue practical
cooperation to fight corruption including in line with our G20 commitments. We will further explore
the links between corruption and other economic crimes and ways to tackle them, including through
cooperation on the return of persons sought for such offences and stolen assets, consistent with
international obligations and domestic legal systems. We ask relevant international organizations to
report back to us on those issues during the next presidency. We call for the effective implementation
by all G20 countries of the UN Convention Against Corruption, including the criminalization of the

bribery of foreign public officials, and note the work towards possible adherence to the OECD
Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.
30. We reaffirm our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We commit
to the full implementation of The Hamburg G20 Leaders Statement on Countering Terrorism. We will
step up our efforts in fighting terrorist and proliferation financing, and money laundering. We urge
the digital industry to work together to fight exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist
purposes.
31. We thank Argentina for its G20 Presidency and for hosting the successful Buenos Aires Summit
and we look forward to our next meetings in Japan in 2019 and in Saudi Arabia in 2020.

ANNEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank international organizations, including the Bank for International Settlements, Financial
Stability Board, Financial Action Task Force, International Labour Organization, International
Monetary Fund, United Nations, World Bank Group, World Health Organization, World Trade
Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Inter-American
Development Bank, and CAF-Development Bank of Latin America, for their reports and advice, which
have provided valuable inputs to G20 discussions.
We are recognizant to the valuable work undertaken by the G20 Engagement Groups: Business 20,
Civil 20, Labour 20; Science 20, Think 20, Women 20 and Youth 20.

Ministerial Declarations and Communiqués
1.

Communiqué. Finance Ministers & Central Banks Governors Meeting (19 March)

2.

Communiqué. G20 Meeting of Energy Ministers (15 June)

3.

Communiqué. Finance Ministers & Central Banks Governors Meeting (22 July)

4.

Declaration. G20 Meeting of Agriculture Ministers (28 July)

5.

Ministerial Declaration. G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting (24 August)

6.

Declaration, G20 Education Ministerial Meeting (5 September)

7.

G20 Joint Education & Labour and Employment Minister´s Declaration (6 September)

8.

Declaration G20 Ministers of Labour and Employment Meeting (7 September)

9.

Ministerial Statement. G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting (14 September)

10.

Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity. Ministerial Report (20 September)

11.

Declaration. G20 Meeting of Health Ministers (3 October)

G20 Working Groups Documents
12.

Buenos Aires Action Plan, November 2018

13.

Buenos Aires Annual Progress Report on G20 Development Commitments

14.

G20 Menu of Policy Options for the Future of Work, FWG

15.

G20 Call on Financing for Inclusive Business

16.

Roadmap to Infrastructure as an Asset Class, Argentina Presidency, 2018

17.

G20 Principles for the Infrastructure Project Preparation Phase, G20, IWG

18.

G20 High Level Principles on Sustainable Habitat through Regional Planning

19.

Final Report of the International Financial Architecture Working Group.

20.

G20 Policy Guide. Digitization and Informality: Harnessing Digital Financial Inclusion for
Individuals and MSMEs in the Informal Economy, GPFI

21.

GPFI Work Program and Structure: A Roadmap to 2020

22.

G20 Roadmap: A Summary of Voluntary Actions for Progressing Towards the Sustainable and
Responsible Financial Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced Persons, GPFI

23.

2018 National Remittances Plans progress report, GPFI

24.

2018 Progress Report to the G20 Leaders, GPFI

25.

G20 Initiative for Early Childhood Development

26.

The Buenos Aires Update

27.

G20 High-Level Principles for Preventing Corruption and Ensuring Integrity in State-Owned
Enterprises

28.

G20 High-Level Principles for Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in the Public
Sector

29.

Anticorruption Working Group Accountability Report 2018

30.

G20 Sustainable Finance Synthesis Report 2018

31.

G20 Country Experiences on Climate and Energy

32.

G20 Climate Sustainability Working Group Adaptation Work Program (2018-2019)