South Africa G20 Summit 2025 – Summary
Syllabus: International Relations (UPSC GS II)
Source: ET
Context:
The G20 Summit 2025 was held in Johannesburg, South Africa — the first-ever G20 summit hosted on African soil. Despite a U.S. boycott, the summit successfully adopted a Leaders’ Declaration, marking a significant milestone for Global South diplomacy.
What is the G20?
- A global forum for economic cooperation representing:
- 85% of world GDP
- 75% of global trade
- ⅔ of global population
- Members: 19 countries + European Union + African Union
How it evolved
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Formed after Asian Financial Crisis (Finance Ministers meet) |
| 2008–09 | Upgraded to Leaders’ Summit during Global Financial Crisis |
| Afterwards | Agenda expanded to climate, health, energy, SDGs, trade, tech |
| Leadership | Annual rotation, guided by a Troika (Past–Present–Next Chairs) |
Functions of the G20
- Ensure global macroeconomic stability
- Develop global rules for trade, finance, taxation & digital public goods
- Mobilise SDG financing & fight climate change
- Address debt stress, inequality & green transitions
- Act as a bridge between Global North & Global South
Major Outcomes of the 2025 Johannesburg Summit
- G20 Declaration adopted despite U.S. boycott
– Reinforced commitment to multilateralism, climate finance & SDG goals. - Strong climate commitments
– Renewable energy push, adaptation funds, support for climate-vulnerable nations. - Focus on developing nations
– Debt restructuring, affordable development finance, Global South priorities. - Launch of ACITI framework
– Australia–Canada–India Technology & Innovation Partnership on AI, supply chains & clean energy. - India’s proposals cleared
- Traditional Knowledge Repository
- Africa Skills Multiplier initiative
- Global Satellite Data Partnership
- G20 Anti–Drug-Terror Nexus
- Troika for 2025–26:
Brazil (past) – South Africa (current) – U.S. (incoming)
Challenges faced
- U.S. boycott → Reflects diplomatic friction, weakened unity.
- Sharp differences on climate responsibility & fossil fuel phase-out.
- Continued tension over Russia–Ukraine conflict.
- Global South concerns on debt burden & unfair financial architecture.
- Protocol dispute during presidency handover exposed diplomatic sensitivity.
India’s Stand at the Summit
- Advocated human-centric development & sustainable growth.
- Launched ACITI tech partnership to strengthen AI, clean energy & supply chains.
- Pushed for Global South interests — climate finance, skills, traditional knowledge.
- Proposed Drug–Terror Nexus Initiative to fight narco-terror funding.
- Promoted satellite data sharing & critical minerals circularity for sustainability.
Way Forward for G20
- Build stronger global consensus, reduce great-power rivalry.
- Prioritise climate finance, debt relief, concessional lending for the Global South.
- Institutionalise Africa’s voice in global governance.
- Reform global financial institutions (IMF, World Bank) for fair representation.
Conclusion
The South Africa G20 Summit 2025 proved that global cooperation is possible even in a divided world. With Africa at the centre, the summit pushed for climate justice, equitable growth, debt reform and Global South priorities.
The future relevance of G20 will depend on its ability to stay united, inclusive and reform-oriented.
