South Africa is set to host the G20 leaders' summit on 22-23 November 2025 in Johannesburg, focusing on Africa's development and global challenges. The event faces early tension as the US president declines to attend, opting to send the vice president due to disagreements over the summit's goals. The gathering aims to include expanded participation beyond core members to address economic stability, climate change, and sustainable development.
The G20 summit will convene at the Nasrec convention venue in Johannesburg, drawing global leaders, activists, and officials, likely causing significant traffic disruptions. South Africa, as the 2025 host, plans to prioritize Africa's development, global debt reform, inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment, inequality reduction, food security, and the use of artificial intelligence for sustainable development. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated, “We will put Africa’s development at the top of the agenda when we host the G20 in 2025.”
The G20, comprising 19 countries plus the European Union and African Union, represents 85% of global gross world product, 75% of international trade, and over 50% of the world's population. Including all EU and AU members, it covers nearly 80% of the global population and more than 80% of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Founded in 1999 in response to financial crises like the 1997 Asian crisis and 1998 Russian crisis, the group first met at the leaders' level in Berlin on 15-16 December 1999. Key architects included Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin and US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.
Membership was selected by US official Tim Geithner and German official Caio Koch-Weser, emphasizing significant economies for financial stability. The group lacks a permanent secretariat, with the host nation coordinating events, often with OECD support. Annual leaders' summits have occurred since 2008, evolving to include UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Accord themes since around 2016.
Expected attendees include leaders like Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside US Vice President JD Vance. The African Union will be represented by Angolan President João Lourenço. Invitees encompass Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UN Secretary-General, and heads of the IMF and World Bank. South Africa has budgeted R691 million for preparations.
Critics highlight the G20's lack of enforcement mechanisms, transparency, and formal charter, as well as underrepresentation of African nations. Protests have historically accompanied summits, such as the 2010 Toronto riots. Side events include an NGO summit on the East Rand and a people's summit at Constitution Hill.