The G20 Sherpa is a senior government official appointed by each G20 member country to act as the personal representative or envoy of their head of state or government in the lead-up to the G20 summit

. The term "Sherpa" is borrowed from the Sherpa ethnic group in Nepal, known for guiding climbers to the summit of Mount Everest, symbolizing the Sherpa's role in guiding their leaders through complex international negotiations

. Key roles and responsibilities of a G20 Sherpa include:

• Preparing and coordinating the agenda for the G20 summit.
• Leading negotiations and discussions among member countries to build consensus on key issues.
• Overseeing the Sherpa Track, which consists of multiple working groups addressing diverse topics such as energy, trade, development, digital economy, health, and environment

• Facilitating the drafting of the final G20 Leaders’ Declaration, which summarizes the agreements reached at the summit

• Acting as the main point of contact and negotiator on behalf of their national leader throughout the year in multiple preparatory meetings

Typically, Sherpas are high-ranking diplomats or senior government officials with expertise in international affairs. They are supported by Sous-Sherpas who assist in the preparatory work

. In summary, G20 Sherpas perform the essential "heavy lifting" behind the scenes, enabling the heads of state and government to reach agreements smoothly at the summit by managing negotiations, resolving conflicts, and coordinating policy positions well in advance

. This role is crucial for the success of the G20 process, ensuring that complex global economic and political issues are addressed effectively before the leaders meet