Scotland’s position at the heart of international finance and trade diplomacy has received a boost following the announcement that Edinburgh will host the 22nd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting next summer.

Set to take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 8 and 9 July 2027, the high-profile gathering will serve as a centrepiece of the UK’s 2027 G20 Presidency.

Speaking at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Bangkok today, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey expressed his pride at welcoming his international counterparts to Scotland’s capital.

“As the UK’s second financial centre, Edinburgh is a fitting host for the G20 finance meeting,” Healey stated.

China’s presence in the G20 Finance Track is led by the Ministry of Finance – headed by Finance Minister Lan Fo’an and frequently represented in international bilateral negotiations by Vice Finance Minister Liao Min – alongside People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng.

At recent G20 Finance meetings in Asheville, North Carolina, and this week’s gathering in Bangkok, the Chinese delegation has been vocal on the need for macroeconomic policy coordination and multilateralism. In Bangkok today, Governor Pan urged global leaders to take a “more comprehensive analytical perspective” of global economic imbalances, advocating for dynamic equilibrium between surplus and deficit nations rather than relying solely on exchange-rate adjustments or trade tariffs.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Liao has actively used recent G20 sidelines to hold bilateral talks with UK and global counterparts, emphasising how China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and its focus on expanding domestic demand will inject fresh momentum into global trade for goods, services, and capital.

Next year’s gathering at the EICC will mark only the second time the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meet on Scottish soil. The previous occasion took place in St Andrews in November 2009, where delegates, including then-Chinese Finance Minister Xie Xuren and long-serving PBOC Governor Zhou Xiaochuan, worked alongside the UK to coordinate fiscal responses to the 2008 global financial crisis and drive international recovery.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said: “Bringing the world’s finance ministers to Edinburgh recognises our capital’s reputation as a global financial centre. This is a significant moment for Edinburgh and the whole of Scotland – the event showcases Scottish innovation and ambition to a global audience.”