As the 2025 G20 presidency, South Africa hosted the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg on 20-21 February, which will convene foreign ministers of G20 members such as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This is an important event before the G20 Johannesburg Summit in November.
To remain relevant, the G20 must adopt bold reforms that prioritise the needs of marginalised regions, enforce its commitments, and move beyond its reputation as a “talk shop.”
The G20, consisting of the world’s leading economies, has become a critical platform for addressing global challenges. Since its formation in 2008 in the wake of the global financial crisis, the G20 has evolved to address a wide range of issues, from economic stabilisation to climate change, digital transformation, and equitable development. However, while the forum has broadened its scope, criticisms persist regarding its ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for developing countries and the Global South.
The current analysis examines the G20’s development agenda over the past decade, focusing on economic growth, climate action, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and state capacity. It also explores how BRICS nations, particularly China, India, and Brazil, have pushed the agenda towards the needs of the Global South and evaluates South Africa’s emerging role in advocating for African and Global South development.
Economic growth
Economic growth and recovery have always been central to the G20 agenda. Born out of the global financial crisis, the Washington Summit in 2008 set the stage for collective fiscal measures, committing to “restore global growth and reform financial systems.” Subsequent summits, such as London Summit in 2009, marked unprecedented fiscal interventions, including a $1 trillion global stimulus. Yet, disparities soon became evident as recovery was “uneven,” with advanced economies outpacing their emerging counterparts, as noted in the St. Petersburg Summit communique (2013).
Emerging countries like China and India have highlighted this disparity, advocating for structural reforms in the global financial institutions. By the Hangzhou Summit (2016), the G20 had acknowledged the importance of recalibrating the global economic architecture to benefit emerging markets.
Poverty alleviation has been a recurring theme in G20 discussions, often framed through commitments to inclusive growth and social protection. The Cannes Summit (2011) was a landmark event, emphasising targeted social programmes to build resilience. By the Buenos Aires Summit (2018), youth development had become a key focus, with initiatives centred on entrepreneurship and gender parity.
Despite these efforts, progress remains uneven. While BRICS nations have championed capacity-building initiatives, particularly in education and vocational training, critics note that measurable outcomes have been limited. The G20’s youth employment task force, introduced in 2011, has struggled to deliver tangible results, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge.
Infrastructure development has consistently featured in G20 discussions, touted as a catalyst for growth in low-income countries. The Seoul Consensus (2010) prioritised infrastructure investment as a tool for sustainable development, a commitment that gained momentum at the Brisbane Summit (2014) with the launch of the Global Infrastructure Initiative, aimed at mobilising private capital to address funding gaps.
As the focus on infrastructure intensified, the influence of BRICS nations became more apparent. China’s Belt and Road Initiative and India’s emphasis on South-South cooperation introduced new dynamics to the conversation. The Hangzhou Summit (2016) underscored the importance of manufacturing and industrialisation in the Global South, while the New Delhi Summit (2023) highlighted the links between digital and industrial infrastructure.
BRICS influence
BRICS nations have become pivotal in reshaping the G20’s priorities, pushing the agenda to better address the needs of the Global South. China and India have been particularly vocal in calling for reforms in global financial governance, highlighting the systemic inequalities within the Bretton Woods institutions.
Brazil’s G20 presidency in 2024 was a turning point, with a focus on social inclusion, sustainable development, and South-South cooperation. Brazil’s emphasis on equitable climate financing and poverty reduction laid the groundwork for South Africa, which will assume the presidency in 2025.
South Africa’s role in the G20 is especially significant. As the only African member, South Africa carries the responsibility of representing a continent often marginalised in global forums. Its presidency presents a unique opportunity to elevate Africa’s development agenda while working to forge consensus among diverse G20 members. Key issues such as debt sustainability, climate adaptation, and digital transformation are expected to dominate the 2025 agenda, with South Africa using its platform to push for concrete commitments. However, balancing geopolitical tensions and ensuring that Africa’s priorities are not overshadowed by broader G20 concerns will be a delicate task.
The G20’s development agenda has certainly evolved, but its progress remains uneven and fraught with challenges. While BRICS nations have significantly influenced the agenda, advocating for the Global South, the gap between rhetoric and tangible outcomes remains wide. South Africa’s presidency in 2025 offers a crucial opportunity to bridge this gap and push for more concrete actions, particularly for African nations.
To remain relevant, the G20 must adopt bold reforms that prioritise the needs of marginalised regions, enforce its commitments, and move beyond its reputation as a “talk shop.” The future of global governance and equitable development will depend on the G20’s ability to transform its aspirations into tangible results.
The author is Principal of National School of Government of South Africa. African Times has published this article in partnership with ChinAfrica Magazine
