The Asia Security Initiative Research Center at the East Asia Institute invited Professor Yves Tiberghien (University of British Columbia) for Smart Q&A where he answered the series of questions on the G20 and the future of global governance. Professor Tiberghien is currently an EAI Fellow and has been conducting research on the G20 and East Asian politics.

Smart Q&A is an interview with the presenter of the Smart Talk, a seminar of the East Asia Institute providing opportunities for leading scholars in Korea to meet and engage with prominent figures from around the world. By posing more specific, focused, and policy-oriented questions, Smart Q&A will facilitate a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and generate creative ideas and strategies for dealing with them.

Interviewee

Yves Tiberghien (University of British Columbia)

Questions

1) Overview of the G20 ‘Game’

Could you describe to us some of the characteristics of the G20 power game, specifically the relationship between the United States, China, and Europe?

2) The Northeast Asian Paradox in the G20

In your EAI working paper you look at how the three East Asian countries (China, Japan, and South Korea) have not been able to cooperate strongly at the G20-level despite positional similarities among them. Could you outline to us the reasons for this lack of cohesion?

3) China’s Future Role in Global Governance

China will increasingly play a stronger role in global governance and has very important position in the G20. How do you foresee China’s future role in global governance, particularly in relation to the G20?

4) Assessment of South Korea in the G20

In 2010, South Korea held the chair for the G20 and hosted the leader’s summit in Seoul. How would you assess Seoul’s role in the G20, particularly in some of the agendas it has tried to push forward such as global safety nets.

5) The G20 and the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

A recent policy report by the EAI recommended that the G20 should work more closely with NGOs as they are playing a greater role in global governance. How do you see the prospects for greater cooperation between NGOs and the G20?

6) France and the G20

France holds the current chair of the G20 and will be hosting the leader’s summit in November. As one of the main proponents of the G20 in 2008, what kind of role do you expect France to play this year?