The 2009 G20 Pittsburgh Summit was the third meeting of the G20 heads of state and heads of government, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, to discuss financial markets and the world economy.

History The G20 is the premier forum for discussing, planning and monitoring international economic cooperation.Parliament (UK): Townsend, Ian. "G20 & the November 2010 Seoul summit" (SN/EP/5028) , 19 October 2010, retrieved 2011-04-07; excerpt, "Today, we designated the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation" citing "Pittsburgh G20 Leaders' summit communiqué," ¶50 September 29, 2009, retrieved 2011-04-07; excerpt, "Today, we designated the G-20 as the premier forum for our international economic cooperation. We have asked our representatives to report back at the next meeting with recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of our cooperation. We agreed to have a G-20 Summit in Canada in June 2010, and in Korea in November 2010. We expect to meet annually thereafter, and will meet in France in 2011.

The fall 2009 G20 summit was held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, on September 24–25, 2009. Announced shortly after the April 2009 G20 London summit, U.S. President Barack Obama volunteered to host this summit, initially planning to hold it in New York City and coordinating it with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. Due to coordination issues, however, the Obama Administration announced a change of venue on May 28, 2009 to Pittsburgh in order to highlight the city's economic recovery following the collapse of the city's manufacturing sector during the latter half of the 20th century. In response to the Global credit crisis, a G20 summit in one year was proposed shortly after the London summit in April 2009.

Among the issues discussed was a proposal to radically reform the International Monetary Fund (IMF). French President Nicolas Sarkozy also suggested that there would be an evaluation of measures already taken.

Summit facilities The primary venue of the summit was the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which was at one point the largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building in the world. A working dinner for world leaders was held at the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, chosen to highlight its environmentally friendly features including an earth-sheltered welcome center and a Tropical Forest Conservatory described as the world's most energy efficient. Other venues used around the city include The Andy Warhol Museum, the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and Rosemont, the working farm of Teresa Heinz Kerry.

Preparations In the weeks leading up to the conference, many measures were taken to prepare Pittsburgh for the conference. Many streets in Downtown Pittsburgh were re-paved and a pre-season National Hockey League hockey game for the Pittsburgh Penguins at nearby Mellon Arena was rescheduled. During the week of the G20, many streets were closed, and traffic patterns were adjusted. Many public schools, universities and nearby businesses were closed, canceling classes or working remotely for the duration of the conference. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl also attempted to alleviate problems by meeting beforehand with some of the groups expected to protest during the event.

Security Thousands of protesters were expected during the week of the Summit, which was classified as a National Special Security Event. Security was coordinated by the United States Secret Service, working in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Police. It is estimated that 4,000 police officers were requested, and the city only had 900 police officers at the time of the event. The Pennsylvania State Police committed more than 1,000 officers for the downtown event, including SWAT, helicopter, mounted, undercover, bicycle and motorcycle officers. Allegheny County had 75 officers specifically trained by and embedded into the Pittsburgh Police Bureau for the event since June. New York City and Baltimore also committed some officers, as well as Pittsburgh suburbs. Some officers from Chicago traveled to assist, taking vacation days from their department. All officers, regardless of department, were under the command of the Secret Service for the event days.

Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters, armored Humvees and crews of U.S. Army soldiers, as well as 10 25-foot boats with M240 machine guns from the Coast Guard, were on hand in the event of large-scale violent protests or a terrorist attack.

Attendance

G20 leaders began gathering in Pittsburgh on September 24, 2009. On the evening of September 24, the leaders attended a reception at Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

The Summit proper began on the morning of September 25 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown.

Core participants The following participants of the Pittsburgh summit represented the core members of the G20,Andrews, Edmund L. "Global Economic Forum to Expand Permanently," New York Times. September 24, 2009. which includes 19 countries and the European Union which is represented by its two governing bodies, the European Council and the European Commission.Rieffel, Lex. "Regional Voices in Global Governance: Looking to 2010 (Part IV)," Brookings. March 27, 2009; "core" members (G20 Toronto, official site)

G20 membersHost nation and leader are indicated in bold text. Member Represented by Title Argentina Cristina Fernández de KirchnerUniversity of Toronto, G20 Information Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–15; Argentina (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Australia Kevin RuddG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; Australia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . Prime Minister Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; Brazil (U Toronto site); Brazil (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Canada Stephen HarperG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; Canada (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . Prime Minister China Hu JintaoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–16; China (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President France Nicolas SarkozyG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; France (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Germany Angela MerkelG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; Merkel (U Toronto site); Germany (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) Chancellor India Manmohan SinghG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; India (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . Prime Minister Indonesia Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; Indonesia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Italy Silvio BerlusconiG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–17; Italy (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . Prime Minister Japan Yukio HatoyamaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; Japan (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . Prime Minister Mexico Felipe CalderónG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; Mexico (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Russia Dmitry MedvedevG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; Russia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul AzizG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–18; Saudi Arabia (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) King South Africa Jacob ZumaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; South Africa (G20 official site) President South Korea Lee Myung-bakG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; South Korea (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) . President Turkey Recep Tayyip ErdoğanG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; Turkey (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) Prime Minister United Kingdom Gordon BrownG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; United Kingdom (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) Prime Minister United States Barack ObamaG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; Obama (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) President European Commission José Manuel BarrosoG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–20; Barroso (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) President European Council Fredrik ReinfeldtG20 Centre, "Plans for the Fourth G20 Summit: Co-chaired by Canada and Korea in Ontario, Canada, June 2010," pp. 14–19; European Council (G20 Pittsburgh, official site) PresidentInvited states State Represented by Title Ethiopia Meles Zenawi Prime Minister Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende Prime Minister Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Prime Minister Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime MinisterInternational organisations Organisation Represented by Title ASEAN Surin PitsuwanRana, Pradumna B. "How can Asia strengthen its voice at G-20?" Korea Times. July 6, 2010; excerpt, "Under the present G-20 practice of inviting representatives of regional groupings, the ASEAN chair and the ASEAN secretary general participated at the London, Pittsburgh, and Toronto summits;" Secretary General Abhisit Vejjajiva ChairmanItiporn Lakarnchua. "PM to assert Thailand, ASEAN determinations to international community during G-20," National News Bureau of Thailand. 21 September 2009; excerpt, Thai Prime Minister "... representing the ASEAN as Thailand is currently heading the regional organization." Financial Stability Forum Mario Draghi Chairman International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn Managing Director New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Meles Zenawi Chairman Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development José Ángel Gurría Secretary General United Nations Ban Ki-moon Secretary General World Bank Group Robert Zoellick President World Trade Organization Pascal Lamy Director-General

Protests

After numerous denials of permits for groups such as Code Pink and Three Rivers Climate Convergence to assemble peaceful demonstrations, the ACLU of Pennsylvania successfully sued to force the city of Pittsburgh to allow demonstrations around the G20 Summit.

Participants in the protests surrounding the summit included peace, environmental, labor and social justice organizations.