Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has negotiated a G20 agreement focusing on growth, women's employment and climate change – with the cuteness of koalas helping to hug out some diplomatic speed bumps.
The 800 measures in the final G20 communique reached in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon aim to boost global growth by 2.1%, with additional promises to get more women in work and take "strong and effective" action on climate change.
"People right around the world are going to be better off and that's what its all about," said Prime Minister Abbott, estimating the plan will add two trillion dollars to the global economy.
The world's biggest countries promised to get 100 million more women into jobs by 2025 and aim for new, ambitious emission reduction targets to be set before the Paris climate change conference next year.
It was climate change that became the most popular topic of the summit, with claims Australia was dragging its feet addressing environmental issues and instead wanted to focus the G20 on corporate tax evasion and infrastructure financing.
U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron both publically pushed hard for emissions reductions targets to be included in the final agreement.
The summit nearly derailed with Western leaders and Australian media criticising Russia's Vladimir Putin over the downing of MH17 and operations in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Abbott, President Putin and some cuddly koalas enjoyed a photo opportunity on Saturday night that appeared to thaw the cold relationship between the two men.
"We had a very detailed and professional conversation. Very disciplined. He made sure everyone stayed on schedule, but also provided an opportunity for everyone to say something," said President Putin before catching the first plane out of Brisbane.
The summit was declared a success by all world leaders. Turkey now takes over the presidency of the G20 with China announced as the group's host in 2016.
