Pittsburgh to host G-20 summit

Piitsburgh will host the next G-20 summit, scheduled for September 24 and 25, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said today.

Gibbs said Obama offered to host the summit while at the London gathering earlier this year and chose Pittsburgh to emphasize the city’s recovery from the decline of the steel industry.

The White House said in a statement that Pittsburgh’s adoption of green technology to restructure its economy was commendable.

“With leaders already scheduled to be in the United States in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama offered to host the Summit and leaders of the G20 welcomed the invitation,” a White House statement said. “Pittsburgh has demonstrated a commitment to employing new and green technology to further economic recovery and development. The summit will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, an exemplar of that commitment. The facility is proud to have a LEED Gold Certification from the U.S Green Building Council for leadership in energy and environmental design.”

Pittsburgh’s City Chief of Staff Yarone Zober said the summit would be an opportunity to boost Pittsburgh’s international profile.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Pittsburgh,” Zober told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “This is a chance for us to showcase our city, and our region, for the world.”

But bringing the summit state-side also raises the possibility of protests. Rioters at the London summit grew violent, clashing with police on occasion.