Leaders of the world’s largest economies will meet in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23 for the G20 summit, the first of its kind in Africa.
Here are five things to know about the annual meeting, which is taking place at a time of heightened global instability and tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
– First in Africa –
Founded in 1999, the Group of 20 (G20) leading economies comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union (AU).
Its rotating presidency will be held by South Africa this year, marking the first time the summit will be in Africa.
G20 members represent 85 per cent of the world’s GDP and about two-thirds of its population.
South Africa is the only member state from the continent, although the AU was admitted as a group in 2023.
Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’ –
South Africa lists its priorities for its G20 presidency as strengthening disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing a “just energy transition”, and harnessing “critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development”.
Its theme is “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
Ranked by the World Bank as “the world’s most unequal country”, South Africa commissioned an expert team to analyse global wealth inequality and offer solutions to the summit.
The team, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, called for the creation of an intergovernmental panel to tackle the “inequality emergency” that leaves 2.3 billion people hungry worldwide.
– US boycott –
President Donald Trump said this month no US officials would attend the meeting and called South Africa’s presidency a “total disgrace”.
Trump has singled out South Africa for harsh treatment on several issues since he returned to the White House in January, notably making false claims of a “white genocide”.
He has slapped the country with 30 per cent tariffs, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
While a US boycott could undermine South Africa’s agenda, Pretoria said the absence was Washington’s “loss”, and it was still looking forward to a successful summit.
Argentine President Javier Milei, a Trump ally, will not attend and is sending his foreign minister.
As in previous meetings, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not be present.
– Johannesburg in the spotlight –
The G20 leaders’ meeting will be hosted at the Nasrec Expo Centre, South Africa’s largest purpose-built conference venue.
