G20 South Africa 2025
Where do we stand?
Reading time: 5 min
🖊️Paola Testa
Jun 2025
Hello, YAS community! My name is Paola and I am part of the Social Media and Communications Team at YAS. I will be covering all exclusive news and sneak-peeks related to the G20 monthly for you. So, without any further ado, let’s dive straight into this first article: what is the G20? Which decisions and which issues were left unanswered last year? Which priorities were set by this year’s Presidency? I will also sum up for you the key milestones (and concerns, too) of the last six months.
So, first things first, what is the G20?
The G20, officially known as the Group of 20, is a forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together the world’s major economies. As shown above, it actually comprises 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Nevertheless, the European Union is considered the forum’s 20th member, as it has historically been represented by a delegation of its own. Also, the African Union has become a member of the G20 in 2023. G20 countries make up for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the global population.
Each year, on rotation, one of the G20 countries is entrusted with the G20 Presidency from 1 December to late November of the following year. This means that the chosen country will determine most of the priorities set in the annual Agenda, coordinate the policy-making efforts with G20 countries and other stakeholders, harmonize their work with the recommendations negotiated and drafted by the 13 official G20 Engagement Groups (such as the Youth 20, or Y20), and engage civil society, academia, NGOs, and the private sector nationally and internationally in preparation of the year-round Ministerial Meetings and of the final Summit.
On 1 December 2024, South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency and it will hold it until November 2025. It is usually then that the G20 Heads of State and of Government meet in the final Summit, which will be held in Johannesburg. The G20 South Africa 2025 has opened at a crucial time: five years ahead of the deadline set for the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. By recognizing the steps undertaken by the previous Presidency – held by Brazil – to enhance the global democratic engagement of the G20, the South African government stated its intention to align with the same trajectory.
The decisions and open-ends of the G20 Brazil 2024
Let’s take a step back: in 2024, Brazil had assumed the G20 Presidency. The G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration promoted actionable steps to pursue the five main pillars of the Summit. Firstly, the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit launched the Global Alliance to fight hunger and poverty. It also reiterated the objectives enshrined in the Paris Agreement to attain climate neutrality by 2050 and to boost investments in renewable energies. The G20 Brazil 2024 additionally promoted global reforms for institutions and governance with the aim to make them more inclusive and efficient. As for inclusion and diversity, the G20 leaders stressed the need to reduce inequality and strengthen the role of marginalised groups and women within society. Finally, the 2024 Summit promoted an ethical use of AI, workers’ training for a digitalised future of the job market, and the necessary measures to safeguard their rights. But as the G20 countries make up for about 80% of global emissions dived into the topic of climate neutrality only timidly, COP29 delegations in Azerbaijan had been let down with the results of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit.
In 2024, the Y20 Final Communiqué tackled those same priorities, suggesting sustainable food systems, improved education, strong financing, and a focus on equal opportunities and inclusion for vulnerable groups in the fight against hunger, poverty, and inequality. As for climate change, energy transition, and sustainable development, the focus was shifted onto renewable energy, environmental protection, and social inclusion in climate policies. The youth delegates also suggested a greater emphasis for reforms, transparency, and multilateralism in international institutions with the aim to promote modernization, peace, and youth participation in global governance. Likewise, the youth delegate stressed the importance of inclusion and diversity within society, which should be promoted through education, gender equality, diverse community protection, and equitable access to health services and fair opportunities. Finally, the Y20 Final Communiqué also highlighted the need to explore the impact of AI and automation, whilst focusing on tech education, ethical standards, and the promotion of fair working conditions in the job market. The recommendations advanced by the Y20 Brazil 2024 delegates were presented to the G20 Heads of State and of Government and helped concretely shape the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration.
What’s in the Agenda of the G20 South Africa 2025?
This year, the South African Presidency has set four high-level deliverables or overarching priorities: (i) strengthening disaster resilience and response; (ii) taking action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries; (iii) mobilising finance for a just energy transition; and (iv) harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. These priorities are being elevated through three task forces: Task Force One on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality, Task Force Two on Food Security, and Task Force Three on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development. Additionally, South Africa is promoting review and investigation initiatives on G20 key commitments and achievements since 2008, on flows of capital and their accessibility to low- and middle-income countries, and on critical minerals with the aim to promote industrialisation, the global energy transition, technological innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
The South African Presidency focused on two main tracks to achieve these priorities in terms of policy-making: Sherpa and Finance. The Sherpa Track consists of 15 permanent working groups, exploring a comprehensive range of topics: from agriculture, anti-corruption, culture, development, digital economy, disaster risk reduction, and education to employment, women empowerment, energy transition, environment and climate sustainability, health, research and innovation, tourism, and trade and investment. On the other hand, the Finance Track consists of seven technical groups and three task forces, covering financial inclusion, financial sector issues, framework, infrastructure, international financial architecture, international taxation, and sustainable finance.
This year’s G20 kicked off on 9 December 2024, only one week after South Africa assumed the Presidency, with the first meeting of the appointed Sherpas (spokespeople for each of the G20 members). Central Bank deputies were also deeply involved throughout this month. The focus on finance was also kept in January, with special regards to sustainable finance and international financial architecture, and the nexus between finance and health. In February, the South African Presidency welcomed the first Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Furthermore, it held the first meetings for Task Force Three on AI, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development and for working groups covering health, infrastructure, education, women empowerment, digital economy, employment, culture, research and innovation, and energy transition. This month was also marked by the first Deputies’ Communique drafting session. Finally, both G20 Deputies and Ministers were involved in meetings with the Central Bank to define financial policy.
In March, the remaining stakeholders and working groups were brought to the table. The first meetings of both Task Force One on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality and Task Force Two on Food Security were held. Besides, some working groups handling financial themes reunited for the second time. Finally, working groups on trade and investment, global partnership for financial inclusion, and climate and environment were brought together for the first time. April saw the continuation of key G20 events marked by the second meetings of Sherpa, working groups, and task forces. Again, both Finance Deputies and Ministers were involved in policy-making efforts with the Central Bank. In addition, the G20 Science Advisers met in Pretoria, Gauteng, and the T20 (Think20) Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue, which brought together think tanks, G20 research institutes, and country representatives invited by the South African Presidency.
May was also marked by the continuation of working group meetings on culture, trade and investment, health, women empowerment, tourism, global partnership for financial inclusion, infrastructure, and development. Finally, it is important to bring attention to the W20 (Women20) Inception Meeting – which brought together women from academia, entrepreneurship, and civil society – and to the SU20 (Start-up20) Inception Meeting with the aim to empower start-ups, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs).
What about the Y20?
This year, the South African Presidency has set four high-level deliverables or overarching priorities: (i) strengthening disaster resilience and response; (ii) taking action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries; (iii) mobilising finance for a just energy transition; and (iv) harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development. These priorities are being elevated through three task forces: Task Force One on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality, Task Force Two on Food Security, and Task Force Three on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development. Additionally, South Africa is promoting review and investigation initiatives on G20 key commitments and achievements since 2008, on flows of capital and their accessibility to low- and middle-income countries, and on critical minerals with the aim to promote industrialisation, the global energy transition, technological innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
The South African Presidency focused on two main tracks to achieve these priorities in terms of policy-making: Sherpa and Finance. The Sherpa Track consists of 15 permanent working groups, exploring a comprehensive range of topics: from agriculture, anti-corruption, culture, development, digital economy, disaster risk reduction, and education to employment, women empowerment, energy transition, environment and climate sustainability, health, research and innovation, tourism, and trade and investment. On the other hand, the Finance Track consists of seven technical groups and three task forces, covering financial inclusion, financial sector issues, framework, infrastructure, international financial architecture, international taxation, and sustainable finance.
This year’s G20 kicked off on 9 December 2024, only one week after South Africa assumed the Presidency, with the first meeting of the appointed Sherpas (spokespeople for each of the G20 members). Central Bank deputies were also deeply involved throughout this month. The focus on finance was also kept in January, with special regards to sustainable finance and international financial architecture, and the nexus between finance and health. In February, the South African Presidency welcomed the first Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Furthermore, it held the first meetings for Task Force Three on AI, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development and for working groups covering health, infrastructure, education, women empowerment, digital economy, employment, culture, research and innovation, and energy transition. This month was also marked by the first Deputies’ Communique drafting session. Finally, both G20 Deputies and Ministers were involved in meetings with the Central Bank to define financial policy.
In March, the remaining stakeholders and working groups were brought to the table. The first meetings of both Task Force One on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality and Task Force Two on Food Security were held. Besides, some working groups handling financial themes reunited for the second time. Finally, working groups on trade and investment, global partnership for financial inclusion, and climate and environment were brought together for the first time. April saw the continuation of key G20 events marked by the second meetings of Sherpa, working groups, and task forces. Again, both Finance Deputies and Ministers were involved in policy-making efforts with the Central Bank. In addition, the G20 Science Advisers met in Pretoria, Gauteng, and the T20 (Think20) Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue, which brought together think tanks, G20 research institutes, and country representatives invited by the South African Presidency.
May was also marked by the continuation of working group meetings on culture, trade and investment, health, women empowerment, tourism, global partnership for financial inclusion, infrastructure, and development. Finally, it is important to bring attention to the W20 (Women20) Inception Meeting – which brought together women from academia, entrepreneurship, and civil society – and to the SU20 (Start-up20) Inception Meeting with the aim to empower start-ups, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs).
G20 South Africa 2025: what is coming next?
When it comes to this year’s G20, tentative key dates you should definitely add to your calendar are the following: the SAI20 Summit (Supreme Audit Institutions20) from 24 to 25 June, the L20 Summit (Labour20) from 28 to 29 July, theY20 Summit (Youth20) from 18 to 22 August, the U20 Joburg Mayoral Summit (Urban20) from 12 to 14 September, the S20 South Africa Summit (Science20) in September, the W20 Summit (Women20) and the J20 Summit (Judiciary20) in October, the SU20 Summit (Start-up20) between October and November, the T20 Summit (Think20) from 13 to 14 November, and the G20 Social Summit from 18 to 20 November.
As the G20 Summit approaches, Vladimir Putin has declared that he will not take part in the event – in line with his decision for the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit last year. This is due to the pending arrest warrant issued against him for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which would not allow him to set foot in a country party to the Rome Statute without being arrested right after landing. Similarly, in one of his well-known hazardous moves, Donald Trump also mentioned that he will likely not attend this year’s Summit too, following his line of thought from his first administration day back in 2020, when US representatives had been instructed to boycott G20 events. As the United States will assume the Presidency of the forum as early as this November, let me end this first G20 article on an open question: what are Trump’s plans for the next G20? What is coming next?
