Global Political Calendar: Xi Jinping attends BRICS, APEC, G20 meetings
CGTN

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends BRICS summit, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting as well as the Group of 20 (G20) summit via video link from Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday that the upcoming summits will play "important leading roles" in global efforts to strengthen cooperation in fighting COVID-19, facilitate economic recovery and improve economic governance. 

BRICS summit

President Xi will attend the 12th BRICS summit on Tuesday at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Read more: As first golden BRICS decade ends, a second begins

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The aim of the grouping was clear from its inception: to establish an equitable, democratic and multipolar world order. 

With the BRICS summit taking place amid a pandemic, the leaders are expected to focus on stepping up healthcare cooperation within the five-nation bloc. 

APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

Xi will attend the 27th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Friday at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Read more: 

APEC: What is it and why does it matter?

APEC at 30: Challenges and commitments in 2020

APEC has been a huge success in accelerating economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. By promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secured growth, its 21 member economies have been making joint efforts to create greater prosperity for their peoples. 

APEC Economic Leaders are expected to produce a declaration reflecting Malaysia-hosted event's theme of "Optimising Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity. Pivot, Prioritise, Progress." 

Leaders are also expected to set a new vision that will guide the forum's work in the next decades. The new vision will build on APEC's goal of free and open trade and investment, known as the Bogor Goals. 

G20 summit

Xi will also attend the 15th G20 summit, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, at the invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. 

The Saudi Arabian presidency has selected the theme "Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century For All."

Read more: The G20 Question: Does the G20 still matter?

The three key agenda items to be addressed under this theme are: "Empowering People, by creating the conditions in which all people – especially women and youth – can live, work and thrive;" "Safeguarding the Planet by fostering collective efforts to protect our global commons;" and "Shaping New Frontiers by adopting long-term and bold strategies to share benefits of innovation and technological advancement."

The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It gathers the leaders of the largest economies of the world to discuss financial and socioeconomic issues. The G20 accounts for 85 percent of global economic output and 75 percent of world trade volume. 

Day by day: 

Monday: UN and WTO officials discuss with ministers ideas for a sustainable recovery from COVID-19 in a virtual meeting in Geneva; Foreign and trade ministers from APEC economies meet virtually to discuss policies relating to trade and international affairs in Malaysia. 

Tuesday: President Xi Jinping attends the 12th BRICS summit via video link at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin; U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pays a two-day visit to Georgia; European affairs ministers of the 27-nation EU bloc meet via videoconference on the mid-November deadline for sealing a new Brexit trade deal in Brussels.

Wednesday: European Commission vice-president and climate chief Frans Timmermans presents the bloc's offshore renewable energy strategy in Brussels; President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis present the Commission's opinions on the draft budgetary plans in Brussels. 

Thursday: Business leaders in Asia-Pacific interact virtually with economic leaders, policymakers and academia on current issues during the APEC CEO Summit in Malaysia; EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting starts in Brussels (to November 20). 

Friday: Malaysia convenes the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting virtually; EU Foreign Affairs Council defense meeting begins in Brussels. 

Saturday: Saudi Arabia hosts the 15th annual G20 Summit in Riyadh (to November 22). 

Sunday: Burkina Faso holds referendum election and national assembly election.