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G20 summit: What is it and who is going to be there?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met President Xi Jinping in Rio at the G20 summit. They stand in front of British and Chinese flags. Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

This is the first time a British prime minister has met the Chinese leader since 2018

World leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden, have travelled to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for a big meeting called the G20.

The Group of Twenty (G20) is an annual event where leaders from world nations, plus representatives from the European Union and the African Union, meet to discuss the most important issues affecting people around the world.

This year, they are likely to be talking about the global economy (which is the making and selling of things), conflicts going on in Ukraine and the Middle East, and climate change.

On day one of the event, Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which is significant as no British prime minister has met the Chinese leader since 2018.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

The city of Rio is hosting the two-day G20 event this year

Sir Keir Starmer has met President Xi Jinping, where they discussed the importance of a "strong UK-China relationship" for both countries.

There have been some tensions between the two nations over the Chinese authorities' treatment of certain religious groups and China's contribution to global warming.

But speaking at the start of the meeting, Mr Starmer said: "We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible."

Who is invited to the G20?

The countries at the G20 have more than 85% of the world's wealth.

They are:

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, UK and USA.

Other countries can be invited to take part in summits and members aren't necessarily the richest countries in the world. For example, Spain is always invited as a guest.

Members don't always agree on things as they try to look after the interests of their own countries.