The far-reaching measures enacted by most countries worldwide to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have massive consequences for the economies. The situation affects almost every enterprise, regardless of whether it caters local communities or the global economy. The effects spread across countries as tightly knit global production networks are interrupted. Countries have different capacities to absorb the shock and counter it with fiscal policy. Not only the nature of a pandemic is global as it does not stop at borders; the tight integration of the world economy make the economic fall-out a global challenge to solve. The G20, as flexible forum of the world’s richest and most powerful countries, has a major role in stabilising the world economy: in coordinating fiscal and monetary responses, in helping developing country partners to manage the crisis, and in giving guidance and vision in these challenging times. Can the G20 live up to this task?