The 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit was held on November 22-23 in Johannesburg, South Africa. South Africa’s presidency brings to a close the first full cycle of G20 summits since the inaugural meeting in Washington, DC in November 2008. Born out of the global financial crisis, today’s global economy looks very different from that of 2008. Widening development gaps, digital divides, decarbonisation costs and growing public disillusionment with globalisation’s failure to deliver inclusive growth have pushed many countries inward, weakening multilateral cooperation.
Against this backdrop, the G20 stands at a critical juncture. South Africa’s presidency – anchored in the motto “Solidarity, Equity and Sustainability” – offers an unprecedented opportunity to elevate the Global South agenda within the world’s premier forum for economic co-operation.
A four-year global south arc that shifted the G20 agenda
The G20 has traditionally tended to reflect the priorities of wealthy, industrialised nations. Yet the consecutive presidencies of Indonesia (2022), India (2023), Brazil (2024), and now South Africa (2025) represent a seismic shift. This four-year arc of global south leadership has not simply hosted summits; it has reoriented the G20’s focus toward the urgent structural challenges of developing countries: climate justice, digital equity and sustainable development.
This rare period of alignment offers a historic opportunity to cement a lasting global south legacy – if South Africa can convert diplomatic gains into durable institutional reforms in a fragmented geopolitical landscape.
Key accomplishments and policy continuity across global south presidencies
The most significant achievement of this global south cycle has been the triumph of policy continuity over fragmented national priorities. Unlike previous years, where agendas sometimes shifted annually, Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa have advanced a coherent narrative around inclusive, sustainable and green economic transformation.
1. Advancing multilateral and financial architecture reform
Recognising that today’s multilateral system is inadequate to address debt distress, climate financing gaps and uneven growth, India commissioned an Expert Group on Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) reform. Its recommendations outline how to expand development lending and unlock the trillions needed for energy transition and climate resilience.
Brazil continued this work by emphasising broader governance reform and linking financial architecture directly to reducing inequality. South Africa now aims to consolidate these reforms into a long-term transformation agenda.
2. Establishing a blueprint for digital equity
The Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), informed strongly by India and Brazil, has championed Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – digital ID, payments and data-sharing systems. These are increasingly recognised as essential tools for inclusive development, not just as technology platforms.
India’s ‘digital stack’ and Brazil’s PIX payment system stand as models for democratising access to public services and finance. South Africa’s prioritisation of inclusive connectivity and MSME digital innovation continues this legacy.
3. Reframing climate action through the lens of justice
The global south has repositioned climate action around fairness and historical responsibility.
Rather than focusing narrowly on mitigation or net-zero pathways, Global South leadership emphasised affordable finance, adaptation needs and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CDR).
Initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance and the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) reflect a shift toward practical, industry-aligned solutions. Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) model and Brazil’s focus on nature-based solutions reinforced this multi-layered approach.
South Africa’s presidency: Strengthening the legacy of solidarity, equity, and sustainability
South Africa’s presidency continues this momentum across three priority areas:
1. Disaster resilience and climate response
With climate-induced disasters increasing in scale and frequency, South Africa is advocating for a significant expansion of climate finance – both in quantity and quality.
Priorities include scaling up MDB financing, strengthening country platforms and mobilising private capital to deliver just energy transitions.
2. Debt sustainability for low-income countries
South Africa aims to advance a strengthened G20 Common Framework on Debt Sustainability. Many developing economies face high risk premiums and liquidity pressures, making this effort central to restoring global financial stability.
This aligns with the broader push over the past four years to reform the global financial architecture.
3. Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive and sustainable growth
Africa holds abundant reserves of minerals essential for the energy transition, computing and AI. South Africa views critical minerals as a foundation for long-term development and is pushing for frameworks that support value addition, sustainability and equitable participation in global value chains.
Additionally, South Africa has established three high-level task forces on:
- Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Inequality
- Food Security
- Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development
These bodies aim to integrate long-term development priorities into the G20’s institutional structures.
Challenges to sustaining the global south legacy
The biggest challenge facing South Africa’s presidency is deepening geopolitical fragmentation. Since the Russia–Ukraine conflict began in 2022, consensus on Leaders’ Declarations has become extremely difficult, diverting diplomatic effort away from substantive agenda-setting.
A second challenge is the G20’s inherently non-binding nature. Initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty or the Global Biofuels Alliance depend heavily on member states’ willingness to implement commitments. Without mechanisms for monitoring, delivery, and financial uptake, progress risks stalling.
Finally, despite the emphasis on circular economy and just transitions, financing commitments remain far below what is needed. The unfulfilled US$100 billion annual climate finance pledge continues to undermine trust, while MDB reforms have not yet mobilised capital at scale.
Toward a lasting legacy for global economic governance
The Johannesburg Summit provides a critical opportunity to consolidate the Global South’s influence – especially as it coincides with COP30 in Belém, creating synergies around climate and development goals.
To anchor this legacy, the G20 must:
- move beyond annual declarations and establish permanent, autonomous institutions;
- support robust monitoring and reporting frameworks to ensure policy continuity;
- mobilise financing that supports inclusive, resilient economic growth; and
- engage meaningfully with non-state actors through platforms such as Think Tank 20, Business 20, and Civil Society 20.
As the presidency shifts to the US in 2026 and the second G20 cycle begins, safeguarding the development commitments made from 2022–2025 will be essential. If South Africa succeeds, its focus on solidarity, equity and sustainability could become a lasting framework for a more balanced and just global order.
Venkatachalam Anbumozhi is a senior research fellow for innovation at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). Elizabeth Sidiropoulos is chief executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs. The views and opinions expressed are their own.
