The Group of 20 nations, both wealthy and developing, have committed to giving countries like China more influence in reshaping and leading the global economy. They also declared their efforts to combat the crisis a success on Friday. Leaders have vowed to maintain economic support measures until a sustainable recovery is guaranteed, establish a plan for working together to balance economic growth, and enforce stricter regulations on banks by 2012. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that two-thirds of the world's population have agreed on a global strategy for creating jobs, promoting growth, and achieving long-term economic recovery at the summit in Pittsburgh. US President Barack Obama's hosting of the summit was deemed a success, with leaders confident in their ability to prevent a recession from turning into a depression. In the final communique, they expressed that their efforts had been effective. Obama stated that their strong reaction helped halt the dangerous decline in global activity and stabilize financial markets. He emphasized the need for a new approach to prevent the boom-and-bust economy of the past and stressed the importance of cooperation before a crisis arises. The G20 summit in Pittsburgh marked a shift towards the G20 being the main forum for economic collaboration, replacing the G7 and G8. Colin Bradford, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, stated that the decision to include a new member in the G7 is a symbolic act of great importance in international politics. He emphasized that this move does not expand the G7 but rather replaces it, marking a significant moment in history. On the other hand, Simon Johnson, a former IMF chief economist, expressed skepticism, referring to the G7 as a "zombie" that is difficult to eliminate. He acknowledged the existing interconnections within the group but noted that at the summit level, they are no longer relevant. The decision to shift focus from the G7 to the G20 is a clear recognition of the growing influence of countries like China and India in the global economy. John Lipsky, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, stated that this change reflects economic realities and the need to include major emerging economies in discussions about the global economy. The disclosure of a second Iranian uranium enrichment plant provided an opportunity for Obama, along with leaders of Britain and France, to push for united action against Iran regarding its nuclear program. Obama warned Iran that it must make a decision at the upcoming meeting in Geneva on October 1 about whether it will continue on a path that could lead to confrontation. The group still had challenging economic tasks ahead, as the G20 pledged to avoid the risky behavior that sparked the financial crisis two years ago. They emphasized the need for stability and responsibility in markets, and also targeted excessive pay for bankers, in addition to working on regulatory reforms to be completed by 2010. The leaders came to an agreement that companies should have the ability to recover or take back salaries and bonuses under specific circumstances. This decision was made in order to prevent bankers from receiving large payouts for taking risky actions that result in negative consequences. Additionally, the leaders decided to transfer some voting power at the International Monetary Fund from wealthy countries to those that are underrepresented, like China, indicating a recognition of the shifting economic power dynamics. The G20 also supported a plan to eliminate subsidies for fossil fuels as a way to address climate change, and to intensify efforts to finalize the Doha trade negotiations. Furthermore, global leaders endorsed a U.S.-led initiative to rebalance the global economy, aiming to reduce large surpluses in exporting countries like China and significant deficits in importing nations such as the United States. Obama is aiming to move away from the U.S. tradition of borrowing and spending, and instead focus on saving and investing. This shift will require countries like China, which rely on exports for growth, to make adjustments as well. G20 leaders have agreed to evaluate if their domestic policies align with sustainable and balanced growth. Countries with large surpluses, such as China, have committed to boosting domestic sources of growth, while countries with deficits, like the United States, have promised to support private savings. Economists have long warned that these imbalances could harm the global economy, and previous efforts to address them have not been successful. The United States believes that the current effort to boost global trade will be successful this time because countries like China, who are major exporters, suffered significant economic downturns during the recession, revealing their vulnerability to external shocks. Despite a display of unity, there were tensions regarding the lack of agreement on how to fund efforts to combat climate change, especially with an upcoming climate summit in Copenhagen. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed concern over the slow progress and urged for a more urgent approach. Around 10,000 protesters, critical of capitalism and the G20's agenda, demonstrated outside the G20 convention center, some directing chants at the police. On Friday, there was only one person arrested, and the atmosphere was positive, which was different from the tense protests on Thursday that resulted in conflicts with law enforcement and numerous arrests.