The Leaders of the G20 concluded their historic Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 22 and 23 November 2025, marking the first time the G20 Summit was hosted on the African Continent. The meeting, convened under the banner of the G20 South Africa 2025 Presidency, resulted in a powerful Leaders’ Declaration addressing major global challenges and outlining a path toward inclusive growth.
Guiding Principles: Solidarity, Equality, and Ubuntu
The Summit was grounded in the key pillars of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. In a nod to its host continent, the G20 embraced the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The philosophy, often translated as “I am because we are,” emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals within a communal, societal, economic, and environmental context.
Recognizing this interconnectedness, the G20 Leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to multilateral cooperation, macro policy coordination, global partnerships for sustainable development, and solidarity to ensure that no one is left behind.
Addressing a Challenging Global Backdrop
The Declaration highlights that the Leaders gathered against a challenging political and socio-economic environment. The global backdrop is defined by:
- Rising geopolitical and geo-economic competition and instability.
- Heightened conflicts and wars.
- Deepening inequality.
- Increasing global economic uncertainty and fragmentation.
In the face of these challenges, the Leaders underscored their belief in multilateral cooperation to collectively address global issues.
Elevating Grassroots Voices: The G20 Social Summit
A significant outcome of the South African Presidency was the decision to convene the G20 Social Summit in Johannesburg. This innovative initiative provided non-government stakeholders a unique opportunity to voice their views on fundamental issues of the international agenda.
The Leaders welcomed the approach by the South African Presidency to integrate the work of its various engagement groups, acknowledging that strengthening partnerships and expanding dialogue with a wide range of actors is crucial for collectively shaping the G20’s approach to issues requiring international cooperation.
Future Leadership
The Leaders’ Declaration concluded by thanking South Africa for its leadership and outlining the future rotation of the G20 Presidency:
- The United States will assume the Presidency in 2026.
- The G20 will meet in the United Kingdom in 2027.
- The Republic of Korea will host the Summit in 2028.
