G20 Social Summit Convenes in South Africa to Champion Global South Agenda

South Africa Hosts Pivotal G20 Social Summit

The G20 Social Summit is currently taking place in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province, South Africa, from November 18 to 20, 2025. Hosted at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, this significant event provides a crucial platform for Africa to advance its development agenda and address the persistent challenges confronting the Global South. South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from December 2024 to November 2025, marking the first time an African nation has done so.

Focus on Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability

Under the overarching theme of 'Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,' the summit aims to elevate issues of social development, equity, and inclusion to the same level of priority as macroeconomic and financial matters within the G20 framework. The initiative builds upon Brazil's innovative introduction of the G20 Social Summit in 2024, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa committing to continue and expand this people-centred platform.

Key objectives include fostering global solidarity, advancing inclusive development, and delivering a G20 Social Declaration that reflects the aspirations and lived realities of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

Diverse Stakeholders Address Critical Global Issues

The summit brings together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, labour, youth, women, persons with disabilities, philanthropy, and grassroots organizations, ensuring that diverse perspectives enrich the G20 agenda. Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressed the opening ceremony, emphasizing the summit's role as an 'unprecedented' platform for Africa. President Ramaphosa is scheduled to address the closing ceremony and receive the declaration from participating delegates. Minister in The Presidency Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka serve as Co-Convenors for the event.

Discussions are centered on critical topics such as:

• Digital Inclusion and Equitable Transformation
• Inclusive Climate Justice, a Just Transition, and Energy Democracy
• Trade, Resilience & Inclusive Value Chains
• Just and Sustainable Finance and International Financial Architecture
• Building Momentum for the Achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063
• Debt sustainability for low-income countries
• Addressing gender-based violence

Amplifying Africa's Voice in Global Governance

South Africa's G20 Presidency and the hosting of this Social Summit underscore the nation's strategic priorities of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and the building of a capable, ethical, and developmental state. It provides a unique opportunity to foreground the African Agenda and the priorities of the Global South within the world's premier forum for international economic cooperation. The summit aims to ensure that the lived experiences of ordinary people help to shape the outcomes of the G20 process.