The Group of Thirty is a private, nonprofit, international body composed of very senior representatives of the private and public sectors and academia. It aims to deepen understanding of international economic and financial issues, to explore the international repercussions of decisions taken in the public and private sectors, and to examine the choices available to market practitioners and policymakers. The Group is characterized by its knowledge of the past and broad-minded, forward thinking. The Group's members meet in plenary sessions twice a year with select guests to discuss important economic, financial and policy developments. They reach out to a wider audience in seminars and symposia. Of most importance to our membership and supporters is the annual International Banking Seminar. The Group of Thirty also enters the policy debate on important issues by publishing special reports. When the Group considers that its objectives would be furthered by more detailed work, it establishes study groups or committees, which may include both members and non-members, through our work program.