The Group of Twenty (G20), a consequential plurilateral grouping, is the creation of 21st-century diplomacy. So far, it has commanded much space in international discourse. It has also facilitated regular annual interactions among key world leaders on global issues, serving as an indicator of their willingness to collaborate to address shared challenges. The G20 comprises 19 countries, the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). As the premier forum for international cooperation, it accounts for approximately 85 per cent of global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade and around two-thirds of the world’s population.
In this broader context, South Africa’s G20 presidency from December 2024 to November 2025 was exceptional in several respects. First, it was the last presidency in the first cycle of G20 members hosting the annual summit between 2008 and 2025. Second, the Johannesburg Summit was historic, as it marked the first G20 summit held on African soil. Third, this presidency was the fourth consecutive time a country from the Global South had the opportunity to lead the G20, following the presidencies of Indonesia, India and Brazil during 2021–24. Fourth, it was the third summit at which the AU participated as a full member rather than as a guest. Finally, it was a presidency that began well and was conducted with much thought, care and vision by the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his team, despite numerous challenges. Yet his term ended with a mixed outcome: while it delivered a successful summit, it also led to a serious crisis in U.S.-South Africa relations, ultimately symbolised by the U.S. decision to bar South Africa from participating in all G20 activities during the U.S. presidency in 2025-26. Thus, it became a story of triumph tinged with a sad end.
This essay proposes tracking and assessing the trajectory of South Africa’s G20 presidency before, during and after the Johannesburg Summit. It then offers a critical assessment of the summit’s outcomes, the G20’s current position and its immediate prospects.
Pathway to the Summit
At the G20 closing and handover ceremony of the Leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 19, 2024, President Ramaphosa delivered substantive remarks, thanking Brazil ‘on a most successful G20 Presidency’ and commending the host nation for ‘elevating the participation of social and civil society groups in the work of the G20 by convening the first ever Social Summit’.[1] He also used the occasion to outline the approach of South Africa’s presidency, which was due to commence in a few days.
‘We will work to ensure that no one is left behind’, he asserted.[2] Disclosing that the theme for South Africa’s presidency would be ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, he added that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 would be one of his priorities. Another important task would be to ‘bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20’.[3] Among the top priorities, he listed the following: Economic Growth; Industrialisation, Employment and Inequality; Food Security; and Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for Sustainable Development. He also announced plans to hold approximately 130 meetings across South Africa, inviting all members and guests. [4]
Several features of the pre-summit activities drew attention. First, South Africa engaged other African countries in G20 activities. A successful dialogue on ‘Debt Sustainability’ was held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and outreach meetings on ‘Food Security’ and ‘Industrialisation’ were convened in Cairo (Egypt) and Abuja (Nigeria), respectively. Second, a novel endeavour was the launch of a new 10-year Compact with Africa (CwA), co-chaired by South Africa and Germany, to secure higher inclusive growth, employment and reduced inequality across the African continent. Third, the G20 Africa Expert Panel, chaired by the former South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, presented its report, offering practical strategies to advance Africa’s collective developmental interests.[5]
Fourth, the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, led by economist Joseph E. Stiglitz, highlighted the ill effects of rising inequality. It noted, ‘Globally between 2000 and 2024, the richest 1% captured 41% of all new wealth, in contrast to just 1% being captured by the bottom half of humanity.’[6] It recommended establishing an International Panel on Inequality (IPI), modelled on the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), with a mandate to support governments and multilateral agencies across the G20 countries.[7]
In accordance with G20 tradition, South Africa hosted a series of preparatory meetings that brought together non-official institutions and think tanks, as well as officials and ministers. The G20 Foreign Ministers held their second meeting in New York on 25 September 2025. The meeting articulated a renewed commitment to the UN and multilateralism, and to strengthening the global trading system, ‘with the World Trade Organization at its core’.[8] There was also a clear consensus that Africa must occupy its rightful place in shaping the future of the world economy. The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in Washington, DC, on October 15 and 16 and noted the global economy’s resilience despite ongoing uncertainty and challenges. A concrete outcome was the ‘Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability’, which set out a series of tangible measures. G20 governments may take steps to comprehensively address the debt and vulnerabilities of low- and middle-income countries.[9]
Just before the Leaders’ Summit, and in line with Brazil’s model, the G20 Social Summit was held in Johannesburg from November 18 to 20. It drew on Africa’s tradition of inclusive dialogue and consensus-building and, more specifically, on a year-long outreach programme under the South African presidency, including over 230 community dialogues held under the banner of a ‘people’s G20’.[10] The conference’s final declaration reflects the collective voice and agency of international organisations, engagement groups, civil society networks, communities and social partners in shaping a people-centred contribution to the G20 Leaders Track.[11] The declaration strongly advocated digital inclusion and equitable transformation; trade, resilience and inclusive value chains; inclusive climate justice, a just transition and energy democracy; fair, sustainable finance and an international financial architecture; and building momentum to achieve the SDGs. It called for urgent, measurable action to find inclusive and sustainable solutions, with progress measured not only by economic growth but also by dignity, equality, opportunities, and the well-being of all people and the environment.[12]
However, a worrying aspect of the prelude to the Johannesburg Summit was the escalating differences and tensions between South Africa, the host nation, and the U.S., the most powerful member of the G20. At government-level meetings, the U.S. did not send representatives, leaving its Embassy in Pretoria to represent the U.S. government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in February 2025 that he would abstain from G20 deliberations, a pattern followed by his other ministerial colleagues throughout the year. The U.S. was critical of South Africa’s policy towards its white farmers and dissatisfied with several aspects of the G20 agenda under South Africa’s leadership.
Against this backdrop, the U.S.’s absence from the G20 Troika was a handicap for the G20 presidency. As the summit approached, U.S. President Donald Trump first announced that Vice President J. D. Vance would represent the country. Subsequently, he decided that the U.S .would not attend the Johannesburg conference. In response, President Ramaphosa stated that ‘boycott politics does not work’ as the summit was set to take substantive decisions, adding that the US’s absence would be ‘their loss’ (Ngcobo, 2025). A South African diplomat observed in New Delhi that the absence of the U.S. constituted a rebuff to Africa, the Global South and the G20 itself.
Eventually, the highest leaders from several member states were absent from the G20 summit. This, together with the U.S. boycott, cast a dark shadow over the summit. Yet all those who attended contributed to the conference’s success.
Highlights of the Summit
In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa highlighted the essence of the G20 deliberations, emphasising that they ‘have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community’.[13] The grouping’s focus has expanded from broad macroeconomic issues to a wide array of global concerns, including trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, the environment, climate change and more. G20 members understood that progress on ‘each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth’.[14] He emphasised the historic significance of the G20 holding its first summit in Africa. He added, ‘We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature or the impact of the first African G20 Presidency’.[15]
The Leaders’ Summit ran for two days, during which, at the outset, the Leaders’ Declaration, negotiated over the preceding months, was adopted by consensus of all present. This was rightly presented as a major achievement, given the constraints under which South Africans had to operate. The Johannesburg Declaration focussed on the need to respond to global calls regarding the major imperatives of our time: ending poverty in all its forms, reducing inequality within and among countries, and taking urgent action to combat climate change. How these aims could be achieved was detailed in 122 paragraphs of the declaration. At the conclusion of the summit, President Ramaphosa offered a sober report card, providing a robust response to sceptics and critics questioning the summit’s achievements. He stressed that it represented not mere words but a commitment to concrete action, enabling joint efforts on issues of shared concern. The host government also published a document listing the successes and highlights of the South African presidency.[16]
Accentuated by the absence of many of the G20 member states’ top leaders, the conference provided an opportunity for the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) leaders—the President of Brazil, the Prime Minister of India and the host—to guide and shape the deliberations. In addition, European leaders and others played their due role.
From the Indian perspective, it is important to note that several themes pursued during India’s presidency were subsequently taken up by Brazil and then by South Africa. Prime Minister Modi actively participated in several sessions and highlighted shortcomings in global economic development. He called for redefining the parameters of development, which could be achieved by adopting the ‘Integral Humanism’ pathway.[17] Specifically, he presented six proposals for his fellow leaders’ consideration and acceptance. These were: the creation of a global traditional knowledge repository; the G20 Africa skills multiplier initiative; the G20 global healthcare response team; the G20 initiative to combat the drug-terror nexus; the G20 critical minerals circularity initiative; and the G20 open satellite data partnership.[18] He also called for a greater role for the Global South in global governance. In effect, his message to the G20 was to pursue sustainable development, trusted trade, fair finance and inclusive prosperity.[19]
Aftermath of the Summit
The closing ceremony of the Leaders’ Summit was somewhat marred by ‘the gavel controversy’. The absence of the U.S. President or Vice President at the summit posed a challenge for the outgoing presidency in arranging the handover of the conference gavel to the incoming presidency. Washington urged South African officials to have President Ramaphosa hand it over to a senior representative of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria. This was unacceptable to the South African side. Instead, the President placed the gavel on the table at the end of his closing remarks. Later, the South African State Protocol handed it over to a U.S. diplomat.
This episode prompted the U.S. President to make a statement on social media on 26 November 2025. He stated:
The U.S. did not attend the G20 in South Africa because the South African Government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them… At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida, next year. South Africa has demonstrated to the world they are not a country worthy of membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter![20]
In response, the South African government issued a statement on November 27, clarifying its position:
South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right…. South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20. We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures.[21]
Despite protests by the South African government and considerable unease among G20 members, South Africa’s absence from G20 activities hosted under the US presidency was expected to remain unchanged.
Whither the G20?
President Ramaphosa highlighted the successes of his country’s stewardship of the G20 during his address to the nation on the last day of South Africa’s presidency. He cited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative in South Africa, who said, ‘South Africa delivered a G20 that showed the world what African leadership looks like – dignified, strategic, and people centred’.[22] The President also listed the following important decisions: agreements and actions to improve the lives of people in South Africa and around the world; agreement on mechanisms to provide relief to countries with unsustainable debt levels; increased funding and support to countries facing climate disasters, for climate action and a just energy transition; appropriate action concerning critical minerals to help the countries from where they are extracted; and on artificial intelligence. He added that the G20 would work with willing partners to establish an ‘International Panel on Inequality’.[23]
Three days later, on December 3, Secretary of State Rubio issued a statement welcoming ‘a New G20’ (2025). He illustrated three priorities for the U.S. presidency: removing regulatory burdens, unblocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovation. He stated that Poland, one of the world’s 20 largest economies, would take its rightful place in the G20, and stressed, ‘The contrast with South Africa, host of this year’s G20, is stark’. Listing the U.S. grievances against Pretoria, Rubio observed that ‘the radical ANC-led South African government has sought to scapegoat its own citizens and the U.S.’ Further, he provided ample justification for not extending an invitation to the South African government to participate in the G20 ‘during our presidency’ (ibid.).
Seasoned observers described the Johannesburg Summit as ‘lacklustre’ or ‘a partial success’. Huang Tran wrote, ‘One memorable impression left by the 2025 G20 Summit under South Africa’s presidency was the empty chairs: six leaders—from the U.S., China, Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, and Argentina—were absent’ (2025). In fact, the top leaders of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia were also absent. Thus, ‘only 67% of G20 members sent their leaders, the lowest portion ever’ (Kirton, 2025). According to John Kirton of the G20 Research Group, the 20th summit in November 2025 produced ‘a substantial performance’. He presented this assessment after examining the South African record through the lens of ‘six major dimensions’, namely domestic political management, deliberation, direction- setting, decision-making, delivery and the development of global governance. He noted, ‘Thus, for the Johannesburg Summit, the G20 faced its most severe stress test from within or without and both survived and thrived’ (Kirton, 2025).
Despite this positive assessment, it is difficult to conclude that the G20 is heading in the right direction, given the public display of disunity. The undisputed fact was that South Africa—its outgoing president—would not participate in the forum’s activities the following year. There were indications that the G20 might revert to its original mandate of promoting only macroeconomic stability measures and avoiding the Global South’s agenda, which centres on assisting developing countries and addressing their concerns. It was also evident that the Johannesburg Declaration lacked the support or concurrence of the U.S. government. In fact, it was known to have raised objections to several of its key elements. Hence, serious disunity within the G20 emerged as a major challenge. This was certain to weaken the political resolve of other G20 members to implement the decisions emanating from this declaration. Thus, the G20’s tilt towards developing economies, secured after strenuous endeavours by the past four presidencies, may prove ineffective, after all.
The coming months of 2026 are expected to reveal its true trajectory, culminating in the Miami Summit in December 2026. By then, it should be clear whether the G20 has become stronger or weaker than it was at the end of 2025.
A critical parameter for judging the G20’s future performance may be the attention it pays to an in-depth assessment of the forum, which stemmed from within, titled G20@20 Review: Final Report.[24] This was ordered by the Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2024, driven by the desire to identify lessons from the first cycle of summits. The review revealed several important findings: first, the G20 has helped drive progress on shared global challenges, but its effectiveness has declined; second, members agreed that the G20 agenda must focus on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth; and third, consensus that the forum needs significant changes and reforms to fulfil its expectations in the future.
The above-cited report has presented recommendations on the agenda and structure, working methods, and outreach and engagement. It is now for the U.S. presidency to process them and guide the G20 on the right path.
Rajiv Bhatia is the Distinguished Fellow for Foreign Policy Studies and a former diplomat who served in Jakarta as DCM and in Yangon as Ambassador.
This article was first published as: Rajiv Bhatia. 2026. ‘South Africa’s G20 Presidency: An Objective Balance Sheet’, in the IIC Quarterly, Volume 53, No. 1, Summer, pp. 15–25.
References:
[1] ‘Remarks By President Cyril Ramaphosa at the G20 Closing and Handover Ceremony of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil’, The Presidency, Republic of South Africa, 19 November 2024, https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/remarks-president-cyril-ramaphosa-g20-closing-and-handover-ceremony-g20-leaders-summit-rio-de (accessed 10 July 2026).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Growth, Debt and Development: Opportunities for a New African Partnership, Report of the South Africa G20 Africa Expert Panel for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, November 2025, https://g7g20-documents.org/fileadmin/G7G20_documents/2025/G20/South%20Africa/Leaders/3%20Miscellaneous/Report%20of%20the%20South%20Africa%20G20%20Africa%20Expert%20Panel%20for%20the%20G20%20Leaders%E2%80%99%20Summit_20251118.pdf (accessed 11 June2026).
[6] Led by Joseph E. Stiglitz, G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality: Summary and Full Report, Commissioned by the G20 South Africa Presidency, November 2025, https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202511/g20-global-inequality-report-full-and-summary.pdf (accessed 10 July 2026).
[7] Ibid.
[8] ‘Chair’s Summary: Second G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group, 25 September 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/250925-foreign.html (accessed 14 February 2026).
[9] ‘Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group , 16 October 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/251016-debt.html (accessed 14 February 2026).
[10] ‘From People to Policy: The Role of Civil Society in the G20 Beyond 2025’, https://t20southafrica.org/commentaries/from-people-to-policy-the-role-of-civil-society-in-the-g20-beyond-2025/ (accessed 10 July 2026).
[11] ‘G20 Social Summit: Declaration’, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/G20-Social-Summit-2025-Declaration.pdf (accessed 11 June 2026).
[12] Ibid.
[13] ‘Statement By President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Opening of the G20 Leaders Summit’, Republic of South Africa, 22 November 2025, https://www.gov.za/news/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-opening-g20-leaders-summit (accessed 10 July 2026).
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] ‘G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders’ Declaration’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group. 22 November 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/251122-declaration.html (accessed 11 June 2026).
[17] ‘Prime Minister participates in G20 Summit in Johannesburg’, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, 22 November 2025, https://www.mea.gov.in/pressreleases.htm?dtl/40322/Prime_Minister_participates_in_G20_Summit_in_Johannesburg (accessed 15 February 2026).
[18] Ibid.
[19] ‘English Translation of Prime Minister’s statement during the G20 Summit: Session 3’, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, 23 November 2025, https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/40328/English_Translation_of_Prime_Ministers_statement_during_the_G20_Summit_Session_3_November_23_2025 (accessed 15 February 2026).
[20] ‘Statement by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group, 26 November 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/251126-trump.html (accessed February 15 2026).
[21] ‘President Cyril Ramaphosa Notes US statement on South Africa’s G20 Participation’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group, 27 November 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/251127-ramaphosa.html (accessed 15 February 2026).
[22] ‘President Cyril Ramaphosa: Address to the Nation on the Conclusion of G20 South Africa’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group, 30 November 2025, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/251130-ramaphosa.html (accessed 16 February 2028).
[23] Ibid.
[24] G20@20 Review: Final Report, https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2025/20251205_-_FINAL_VERSION_-_ G20@20_Report_with_Annexes.pdf (accessed 11 June 2026).
Kirton, John. 2025. ‘The Substantial Performance of the G20’s 2025 Johannesburg Summit’, G20 Information Centre, G20 Research Group, 24 November. https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/analysis/251124-kirton-performance.html (accessed 10 July 2026).
Ngcobo, Khanyisile. 2025. ‘“It’s Their Loss”: South African Leader Hits Back at Trump’s Decision to Skip G20 Summit’, BBC, 12 November. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70jy0gzp84o (accessed 15 February 2026).
Rubio, Marco. 2025. ‘America Welcomes a New G20’, G20 Information Centre, 3 December. https://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2026/251203-rubio.html (accessed 21 February 2026).
Tran, Hung. 2025. ‘After a Lackluster G20 in South Africa, Trump can Take the Group “Back to Basics” in 2026’, Atlantic Council, 25 November. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/after-a-lackluster-g20-in-south-africa-trump