G20 ministers of finance and central bankers began a full-day of discussions here Wednesday on ways to reduce countries' vulnerability to financial crises and to address the challenges posed by globalization.
The G20, made up of seven industrialized nations and 12 emerging market countries opened its meeting Tuesday with a closed-door working dinner.
Delegates from the countries as well as representatives from the European Union, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have gathered at a hotel here to continue their informal talks. The group's inaugural meeting was held in Berlin in December.
G20 members are expected to bring up the oil market situation as well as the weakness of the euro in their closed-door talks.
Ahead of the meeting, protesters clashed with police late Monday in front of the hotel, throwing paint-filled balloons and rocks and forcing the hotel to seal off its front entrance.
So far, more than 40 protestors have been arrested, the majority of whom have been released.
Security around the hotel remains tight as more demonstrations are expected.
The G20 represents 87 percent of the world's economic output and about 65 percent of its population.
The informal grouping brings together G7 members -- the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and Canada -- with the 12 emerging market economies of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey -- MONTREAL (AFP)
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