The G20 leaders faced a difficult economic context at the Los Cabos Summit. Challenges included strong financial market tensions, and external, fiscal and financial imbalances were still prevalent in a large number of countries. The range of issues considered at the Summit were particularly wide, primarily because after six G20 summits, leaders from emerging markets had become increasingly adept at voicing concerns that were relevant to their jurisdictions, such as food security. Furthermore, the ongoing efforts of G20 leaders to be more inclusive meant that a variety of lobby groups were able to project their interests into the Summit.

As a result, the Los Cabos G20 Leaders’ Declaration covered a variety of areas, including the following: supporting economic stabilization and the global recovery; employment and social protection; trade; strengthening the international financial architecture; reforming the financial sector and fostering financial inclusion; enhancing food security and addressing commodity price volatility; meeting the Challenges of Development (a program containing a variety of poverty-reducing measures); promoting longer-term prosperity through inclusive green growth; and intensifying the fight against corruption. The G20 leaders also agreed on the Los Cabos Growth and Jobs Action Plan, which is designed to strengthen demand and restore confidence with a view to support growth and foster financial stability in order to create high quality jobs and opportunities for all G20 citizens.