Thread: G20 Finance Track Meets in Asheville August 29 to September 1

G20 Finance Track Meets in Asheville August 29 to September 1

https://thirdact.org/north-carolina/...o-september-1/

Community organizations plan protests around G20 meeting


Almost 2 years ago, Hurricane Helene changed the face of Asheville and swept away many other Western North Carolina communities. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds have been slow in coming.

Now, finance leaders from some of the world’s largest economies will convene in Asheville from August 29 through September 1. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “The selection of historic Asheville reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to the revitalization and resilience of western North Carolina, which continues to rebuild after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.”

The 500 attendees and $1.5–2 million in direct spending is called “good news” for the recovering region. The administration’s framing: hosting proves WNC has restored its infrastructure and is “open for business.”

A $2M tourism bump timed to the storm’s two-year anniversary staged at a luxury resort behind federal checkpoints is the system using our survival as marketing material. They should not be allowed to co-opt the narrative. Helene is the climate crisis; the G20 is the body that has presided over decades of climate inaction while its members produce 75–80% of global emissions. The storm and the summit are not separate stories.

A coalition of local organizations including Third Act Western North Carolina have planned activities to publicize this counter-message:

• Friday, August 28 4:30-5:30 pm – Banner drops along I-240 & I-26
  
  
• Friday, August 28 6 pm – Press conference at the “Nonument” (where Vance monument used to be).
  
  
• Saturday, August 29 11 am – 2 pm – Line the Streets on Merrimon Avenue 500-700 block . Bring signs inspired by our messaging – text and images can be found here
  
  
• Sunday, August 30 4-6 pm – Community Summit for grief and gratitude at Pack Square Park. We’ll celebrate what we’ve recovered together and mourn what we’ve lost as we approach the 2-year anniversary of Helene. Bring flowers, photos, words, and candles.

If you can only make one activity, please come to the Saturday Line the Streets event.

In addition to the activities, the coalition requests a boycott. From Friday, 8/28 through Tuesday, 9/1 , do not make any purchases from businesses unless they are local.

PRESS RELEASES

Secretary Bessent Announces 2026 G20 Finance Track Agenda and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0398

February 19, 2026

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the priorities and schedule for the 2026 G20 Finance Track, including hosting a meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina.

“Thanks to President Trump’s pro-growth economic policies, the United States’ economy is reaching historic heights, and as the G20’s Finance Track lead Treasury will leverage America’s demonstrable economic success and bring the G20 back to its core mission by undertaking a streamlined, results-oriented approach for the group,” said Secretary Bessent.

“In close coordination with the State Department, we will execute on the President’s agenda for the G20 by prioritizing pro-growth economic policies through modernizing financial regulation; strengthening our understanding of excessive global imbalances; enhancing debt transparency and facilitating debt restructuring processes; endorsing a vibrant digital assets ecosystem; improving cross-border payments and addressing payments fraud and scams; and promoting financial literacy.”

In posting the schedule of meetings, Secretary Bessent added, “I am proud to spotlight that the United States will host the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina. The selection of historic Asheville reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to the revitalization and resilience of western North Carolina, which continues to rebuild after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.”

The current schedule of in-person G20 Finance Track 2026 meetings includes:

• April 16 (Washington, DC): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
• August 29-30 (Asheville, North Carolina): Finance and central bank deputies meeting.
• August 31 - September 1 (Asheville, North Carolina): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.
• October 15 (Bangkok, Thailand): Finance ministers and central bank governors meeting.

The United States’ G20 host year will culminate with President Trump’s Leaders’ Summit on December 14-15, at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.

###