Formal and informal forums

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A setting where actors meet to talk, coordinate and try to agree.

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A forum with set rules, membership and the power to take binding decisions (e.g. the UN General Assembly, WTO, COP).

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A loose forum with no fixed rules or binding decisions (e.g. the G7, G20, or Davos).

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It has no power of its own — its influence comes from the actors who meet there and what they agree.

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A group of about 20 major economies that meets to coordinate the world economy — an informal forum.

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It has no treaty, HQ or binding power, yet its summits coordinate the major economies — as in the 2008 crisis.

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A joint statement issued after a summit — what informal forums produce instead of binding law.

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Clear rules, wide membership, binding decisions, and more legitimacy — but they can be slow.

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Flexibility, speed, and frank relationship-building — but they are exclusive and non-binding.

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No power of their own — they are only as strong as what their members agree.

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Formal forums are more legitimate and can bind but are slow; informal forums are fast and frank but exclusive and non-binding.