United Kingdom
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, United Kingdom. Chair, London Summit
'This is the day that the world came together, to fight back against the global recession. Not with words but a plan for global recovery and for reform and with a clear timetable,' British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at the end of the London Summit of G20 countries on 2 April.
'Today we have reached a new consensus, that we take global action together to deal with problems we face, that we will do what is necessary to restore growth in jobs, that we will take essential action to rebuild confidence and trust in our financial system.'
> Watch Gordon Brown's press briefing at the end of the London Summit> Go to the London Summit photostream
Head of Government
He was born in Govan, Scotland on 20 February 1951. He studied history at the University of Edinburgh and completed his PhD in 1982. He is married to Sarah Brown.
Source: www.g20.utoronto.ca
Latest
03/04/2009
In its editorial The Guardian says one crucial outcome of this week is that the G20 is now the world's ‘number-one decision-making forum, the place where serious horse trading can happen and lead to results’.
The Times also hails the ‘new world order’, highlighting the surge in global equity markets after the G20 communiqué was published. It said the scale of the new $1.1 trillion resources made available to institutions was ‘much larger than expected’.
Under a headline ‘Summit of Achievement’ in its editorial The Times said the G20 summit took important steps in improving the machinery for coping with the financial crisis.
The Financial Times says that G20 leaders hailed a ‘crisis fight back’ and also noted the sharp rise in equity markets after the leaders mapped out a ‘new future for financial regulation.
The Financial Times’ main editorial column described the G20 deal as ‘the first bricks in a new world order’ adding that the summit has charted a path towards economic recovery.
The Independent’s front page features a picture of the US President giving his press conference on top of the headline ‘Obama hails the new world order’. It says that equity markets soared after the President ‘brokered a historic deal’ between world leaders to bring an end to recession.
In its editorial The Independent says that the outcome of the Summit was ‘more subtle and less dramatic’ than much of the media hyperbole in its run-up. ‘After yesterday’s result, there are grounds for hope that we are, at least, on the right road’.
Alongside a doctored photo of the comic film character Austin Powers to look like Gordon Brown, The Sun hails the Summit as the ‘PM’s historic G20 deal’. Inside it calls the Summit the G-Plenty and says Gordon Brown ‘forced the world’s richest countries to stump up $1trillion to kick-start global growth’.
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Recent news and events
Gordon Brown - London Summit press conference
06/04/2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown answered questions from the media at the end of the London Summit, 2 April 2009.
David Miliband on the success of the London Summit – and the challenges ahead
03/04/2009
Miliband on the challenges facing the G20 and the new digital diplomacy
Global plan for recovery and reform
02/04/2009
The official communique issued at the close of the G20 London Summit.
What was the London Summit?
On the 2 April 2009 world leaders gathered in London to address the global financial crisis.Ban Ki-moon outlines key issues for London Summit
In a webcast for the London Summit United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon called for a 'substantial and truly global, stimulus package.' True global stimulus, protectionism, green growth and rethinking the Bretton Woods institutions are the key issues G20 leaders must address.
No lack of consensus on what needs to be done, Brown tells Wall Street (25/03/09)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown used a meeting in the heart of America’s financial district to highlight growing international agreement on the policies needed to restore economic growth and repair the financial markets. His focus on key policies ahead of the summit was echoed by comments by US President Barack Obama.