ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — For the third day of the G20 Financial Track meetings of world financial leaders at the Omni Grove Park Inn, media members were allowed in for the opening statements.

G2O, Day 3: An inside look as financial leaders talk about Asheville, Helene resiliency. (WLOS)

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent opened by talking about Asheville, Helene and the resiliency of a region that was hit hard by the storm nearly two years ago. He also spoke of the resilience of the people locally who also had a huge role in recovery.

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“We chose Asheville, not only because we want to showcase this beautiful place, but also to show the resiliency of the people,” Bessent said.

He talked about how Helene tore through the area nearly two years ago and how the region was continuing to recover.

He also talked about the path forward.

“Working families left on the sidelines too long will finally understand what a piece of the action feels like,” Bessent said. “And that experience will be reinforced by over a dozen learning modules we’ve developed to promote financial literacy in a way no book test or school curriculum possibly could. As we embark on one of the greatest real time learning experiences in the history of the U.S., I look forward to exchanging perspectives on how more of our citizens can make informed financial decisions build greater wealth and protect themselves from fraud.”

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In an impromptu news conference before his opening remarks at the meeting, Bessent called a press gaggle and addressed Iran and the war concerns tied to ongoing issues with the closure of the Straight of Hormuz. The ongoing war is another big talking point of the G20 meetings.

Bessent welcomed U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh to the meetings in his first time there in his new role.

“I’m particularly honored to be here at the G20 in Asheville. It’s a place that that Secretary Bessent knows far better than I,” Warsh said. “But I learned that this very venue, this hotel, where we’re meeting was established in 1913. It happened to be the year of the Federal Reserve Act, and so each of us show up with the best of the traditions of our institutions, and we’re doing this at a time of enormous change in the global economy.”

Warsh said while they are working towards the future that the future was already here.

“But we’re all experiencing it somewhat differently. The goal of the G20 is to share those thoughts remotely so when the future does arrive, we are as prepared for it as much as possible,” he said.

The G20 Financial Track meetings have financial leaders from all part of the world. The meetings began on Saturday, Aug. 29 and will wrap up on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

This story will be updated