As I write this Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo is moderating a panel on the G20 and its impact on global challenges. Partaking in the discussion is Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands, President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina, Director of the National Economic Council Lawrence Summers, and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

All members emphasized the importance and necessity for the G20 in the wake of the global financial crisis, with President Kirchner and IMF Director Strauss-Kahn underscoring the need for further support of emerging countries and economies. Strauss-Kahn went so far as to suggest that more countries be brought into the G20 citing a larger problem of “global imbalance.”

According to the Director, “for the G20 to be effective, we need more countries to feel represented” so people around the world can accept the decisions that are made at G20 Summits. As you know, the next G20 Summit in Pittsburgh is just days away.

-Chris Scott

UPDATE: Here’s a video of the panel.