In 2026, Poland has been taking part in the work of the G20 at the invitation of the United States, which holds this year’s presidency of the group.

Bilateral meetings in the margins of the G20

During three plenary sessions, the participants discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions on the global economy, including issues such as the freedom of navigation and the security of food, energy, and supply chains.

The meeting in Atlanta provided an opportunity to hold intensive bilateral talks with partners from other continents whom we do not have the opportunity to meet frequently due to geographical reasons.

The chief of Polish diplomacy held about ten bilateral meetings. The Polish MFA head met with, among others, his counterparts from Indonesia, India, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of Korea.

Minister Radosław Sikorski also met with the delegation from the African Union, headed by Burundi’s Foreign Minister and Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council Édouard Bizimana.

Poland—a good representative of CEE and a model for the Global South

Poland’s participation in the meeting was an opportunity for our part of Europe to make its voice heard more clearly in the global economic debate.

The United States’ support for Poland’s full membership of the G20 is evident. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said as much in his address yesterday evening. The G20 meeting also provides an opportunity for many bilateral talks and I think that, as a result of these two days of meetings, there is no doubt that we have a better understanding who still needs persuading and where we already have strong support for our permanent presence in this forum

noted Foreign Minister Sikorski.

Speaking at the G20 forum, Minister Sikorski emphasised that Poland represents a region comprising Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Black Sea. This is an area with a population of nearly 150 million, whose economic and strategic importance has consistently been increasing.

In 1990, we were the poorest country in our region. Poland’s GDP stood at just over 65 billion US dollars, which positioned us around 45th place among the world’s economies. After 35 years of uninterrupted growth, we moved up to 20th place with an economy worth 1 trillion dollars. Over these 35 years, our GDP per capita rose by 266 per cent, and today the average Pole is better off than around 85 per cent of the world’s population.

The head of the Polish diplomacy pointed out that we are telling a story of not only an economic success, but also of the power of democracy and of the free market as an alternative to authoritarianism.

Our story about embracing modernity and achieving wealth, not in a one-party system and a planned economy, but in a democratic system with an open economy, is worth retelling. I believe that this alternative model, especially for countries that are dreaming of becoming just as successful as Poland, should be shown as an alternative

said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski.

As has been repeatedly emphasised by the MFA head, Poland wants to share its experience with partners from Africa, Asia, and Latin America (the Global South). Unlike many Western countries, Poland has no colonial past.

Towards a permanent membership of the G20

Poland is aiming to take part in future summits of the G20. We can use our presence at the G20 to promote issues which are crucial for our country and for Central and Eastern Europe as a whole and to share the region’s experience, so far unrepresented at the G20.

In October 2026, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that he was invited by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take part in the G20 proceedings next year during the UK’s presidency.

The coordination of the government’s activities in this area is overseen by government plenipotentiary for Poland’s participation in the work of the G20 appointed by the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of December last year. This role is carried out by MFA Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki.