The 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, also known as the G-20, will continue its focus on resolving the global economic crisis when it meets next Thursday and Friday, September 24 and 25. Recent financial indicators have led many economists and U.S. policymakers, including President Obama, to become increasingly optimistic about the global financial outlook. While the situation may be improving, there is still work to be done.

Given that the financial crisis – which started in the U.S. – has disproportionately affected poor and developing countries, InterAction believes developing nations’ economic concerns should be well-represented at the G-20. As the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian NGOs, we have been organizing the NGO community to advocate the G-20 for pro-poor policy reforms. Our strategy has been two-fold:

First, several NGOs came together to write policy briefs that outline two key concerns (Climate Change and Economic Crisis) and recommendations for addressing them. In August, these briefs were hand-delivered and discussed with the U.S.’s lead representative to the G-20 Summit.

Second, we have established an NGO Hub to provide workspace for some of the many organizations that will be present in Pittsburgh next week. While only one representative per NGO has been promised access to the Summit, it’s important that they are on hand to amplify key messages to policymakers and the media. Having our voices heard in the media is key to ensuring that the economic concerns of the developing world are not forgotten amidst discussions about how to stabilize the global economy.

The InterAction alliance and several partner organizations will be on-the-ground and plan to be a strong, vocal presence. Visit http://www.interaction.org/pittsburgh-g20-summit for more details.

-Sam Worthington, InterAction President and CEO