Rome G20 summit comes just before COP26 climate talks.Rome will host the Group of 20 Leaders Summit on 30-31 October, the culmination of a series of high-level international talks held during Italy's presidency of the G20.Italian premier Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that the heads of the world's wealthiest nations would meet in Rome to discuss climate change, covid-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery. The Rome summit is viewed as critically important as it comes just before the United Nations COP26 climate change conference being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November. G20 culture ministers meet in Rome The high-level Rome event will take place amid tight security at the Nuvola Congress Centre, in the EUR district, with the press based at the nearby Palazzo dei Congressi. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Russian president Vladimir Putin and Japanese premier Fumio Kishida will not be attending, but would follow proceedings by video link. Climate: Italy PM Draghi says 'We must act now' Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will also be absent but will be represented by his foreign minister, according to Reuters. There is reportedly a question mark over the attendance of Chinese president Xi Jinping and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Italy calls special G20 talks on Afghanistan US president Joe Biden has confirmed his presence in Rome, where he will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican ahead of the summit, before travelling for the COP26 talks. The leaders of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the European Union are also expected to attend in person, according to Reuters. Along with representatives of some of the main international and regional organisations, the finance ministers of the G20 countries traditionally attend the Leaders' Summit.

Rome will host the Group of 20 Leaders Summit on 30-31 October, the culmination of a series of high-level international talks held during Italy's presidency of the G20. Italian premier Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that the heads of the world's wealthiest nations would meet in Rome to discuss climate change, covid-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery. The Rome summit is viewed as critically important as it comes just before the United Nations COP26 climate change conference being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

• G20 culture ministers meet in Rome

The high-level Rome event will take place amid tight security at the Congress Centre, in the , with the press based at the nearby Palazzo dei Congressi. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Russian president Vladimir Putin and Japanese premier Fumio Kishida will not be attending, but would follow proceedings by video link.

• Climate: Italy PM Draghi says 'We must act now'

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will also be absent but will be represented by his foreign minister, according to Reuters. There is reportedly a question mark over the attendance of Chinese president Xi Jinping and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

• Italy calls special G20 talks on Afghanistan

US president Joe Biden has confirmed his presence in Rome, where he will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican ahead of the summit, before travelling for the COP26 talks. The leaders of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the European Union are also expected to attend in person, according to Reuters. Along with representatives of some of the main international and regional organisations, the finance ministers of the G20 countries traditionally attend the Leaders' Summit.