The G20 summit in South Africa…a historic moment that goes beyond politics towards sustainable development

The G20 Summit in South Africa…a historic moment that goes beyond politics towards sustainable development

The South African city of Johannesburg is preparing for a major historic event, which is hosting the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders Summit in November 2025. To become the first African city to host this very important global meeting.

This summit comes at a sensitive moment in contemporary history. The world is witnessing economic changes, climate challenges, and geopolitical turmoil, which gives the summit a dimension that goes beyond its traditional character as an economic forum.

What is striking about the next edition of the summit is the slogan that South Africa chose for its rotating presidency: “Solidarity – Equality – Sustainability,” which reflects a noticeable shift in the outlook of theGroup of Twenty – which has always been associated with major economic elites – in preparation for giving priority to humanitarian and development issues.

G20 Leaders’ Declaration

The Leaders’ Summit is the culmination of the annual work undertaken by the G20, which includes ministerial meetings and specialized working groups, in addition to civil society groups, known as “Engagement Groups.” These efforts conclude with the issuance of the “Leaders’ Declaration,” which reflects the commitments of member states towards the agreed upon issues.

In this context, South Africa occupies a pivotal position in strengthening the voice of the African continent, especially after the African Union officially joined as a permanent member of the group alongside the European Union, and this representation provides for the first time a real space for the demands of the Global South to be part of major economic and environmental decisions, especially in light of the increasing need for fair financing to confront the effects of climate change and achieve a fair energy transition.

Johannesburg faces criticism with prepared confidence

Amid major local challenges, the Gauteng provincial government announced that it is confident in the city of Johannesburg’s ability to successfully host the G20 summit, despite criticism leveled by the opposition – led by the Democratic Alliance (DA) – about the city’s readiness.

These statements came during a press conference held by the provincial governor, Paniza Lesufi, who revealed a detailed report clarifying the state of preparations in Johannesburg and neighboring cities, which will host side events for the summit.

Lesufi pointed to a number of improvements that had been made in infrastructure, such as re-lighting the main roads linking OR Tambo Airport to areas such as Midrand and Sandton, in addition to achieving 70% progress in lawn mowing work and improving the general appearance of the city, but the most important message in his speech was clear: “We are not doing this just for the G20, but for the people of Gauteng. The summit is a catalyst, not “Purpose”.

From preparing for the summit to improving the lives of residents

This proposal reflects a shift in public understanding of the idea of hosting. Instead of global summits being temporary occasions to improve the image, they are turning into a starting point for rehabilitating cities in a sustainable way that serves the citizen first, and here local development goals converge with the global vision. Hosting the summit could be an opportunity to restructure the city on developmental foundations.

As heads of state and diplomats from around the world prepare to come to South Africa, attention is multiplying on Johannesburg, as a showcase for modern Africa, one that aspires to be a true partner in the new world order, not just a recipient of decisions.

G20 summit axes

Since assuming the presidency of the G20 in December 2024, South Africa has set an ambitious agenda that reflects the priorities of the countries of the Global South, and is closely linked to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the most prominent among these priorities are strengthening disaster resilience, addressing the debt crisis in low-income countries, accelerating financing for a just energy transition, and sustainable utilization of vital minerals.

On debt, South Africa seeks to stimulate a frank global debate on how to restructure external debt more fairly, allowing developing countries to invest in health, education and infrastructure, rather than spending excessively on debt servicing.

Energy and minerals at the G20 Summit

As for the energy file, there is a great focus on providing fair and effective financing to enable African countries to transition to renewable energy sources without harming their economic growth. Here, crucial questions arise about the responsibility of industrialized countries in supporting this transformation. Because climate stability is a collective responsibility that cannot be achieved without equity in resources and opportunities.

With regard to “vital minerals” such as lithium and cobalt, South Africa seeks to introduce a new model based on equal partnerships, not exploitation, so that resource-rich countries benefit from value chains locally, instead of exporting raw materials only, and this trend opens the door towards an African economy based on innovation and local manufacturing, which enhances job opportunities and comprehensive development.

Towards a fairer and more sustainable global economy

The upcoming G20 summit represents a rare moment in which Africa’s voices can go beyond a symbolic presence to have a real impact on global politics; While the countries of the group represent 85% of the global gross domestic product and more than 75% of the volume of international trade, many of the decisions taken within it directly affect the future of developing countries, without those countries being actual partners in them.

Thanks to its rotating presidency, South Africa today has an opportunity to redefine the role of the G20 countries as a space for collective action, not to transfer decisions from adults to children. By focusing on the topics of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, the summit can be transformed into a focal point in the way the world thinks about growth models, financing mechanisms, and responsibilities for confronting climate crises.

This is because the major transformations that the world is currently witnessing impose a new reality on decision-makers, a reality that is not satisfied with symbolic positions or traditional frameworks, but rather pushes towards rethinking the foundations of development and international cooperation, and with the escalation of development challenges in the world, the need for comprehensive visions that restores the balance between man and nature, and links progress with justice and growth with sustainability increases.

In this context, theDefenders of the Earth Foundation aspires for the G20 summit in Johannesburg to be a qualitative turning point in the course of global summits, through which the major countries will redraw the features of the partnership with the global South, and establish a new approach in dealing with development crises, and for this approach to be based on justice and seeking to achieve development goals. Sustainable.