In an exclusive interview with this website, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has welcomed the successful outcome of the London Summit and spoken of the challenges that now lie ahead for the G20 leaders. He also welcomed the success of the LondonSummit website in stimulating interest in the meeting and debate around the issues raised by the global crisis. Mr Miliband said that governments could not solve global problems alone, and needed to engage with citizens and businesses through a new digital diplomacy.

In the interview, less than an hour after the Summit concluded, Mr Miliband said the world was now in a better place: 'There were a clear set of commitments that will help pull the world back from financial and economic crisis.'

Much remained to be done, he added, and implementing the decisions presented the leaders with a challenge. However, the success of the London Summit had restored faith in 'the new multilateralism' which had been in crisis since the collapse of the Doha trade round at the end of last year. The Copenhagen climate change conference in December would be the next real test, but the G20 communiqué had included pledges to work for its success.

The Foreign Secretary said the G20 had breathed new life into multilateralism at a time when the G8 had not been sufficiently representative or powerful. 'It will prove its worth through events such as the London Summit – and the follow-through.'

Mr Miliband was asked about the campaign of public diplomacy led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ahead of the London Summit. The Foreign Secretary said the fact that more than 400,000 people had looked at this website for information and debate was very exciting. 'You can’t solve global problems by government alone – you need to engage citizens and businesses… There is now a global conversation.'

Solving the economic crisis required a restoration of confidence, he said, and that meant influencing consumers and business leaders. 'It is the right approach in everything we do – nuclear non-proliferation, European Union enlargement, big conflicts and sharing the world’s resources. Those are all things where diplomats gain from talking to people and opening themselves up to questioning and comment.'

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