G20 Summit 2025

Q: When was the G20 established?

The G20 was established in 1999 in response to the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s.

The G20 Summit 2025 will be held on 22 and 23 November in Johannesburg, South Africa. Keep up with all the developments here.

Latest News

Summit boycott by the US: President Donald Trump has announced that no U.S. government official will attend the summit, citing debunked claims of human rights abuses in South Africa. The South African government has dismissed the accusations as baseless.
Notable absences: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Argentine President Javier Milei will also skip the summit. China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang. Russia’s Vladimir Putin is absent due to his ICC arrest warrant.
Confirmed attendees: Leaders from India (Narendra Modi), Brazil (Lula da Silva), and Japan (Sanae Takaichi) are expected to attend, along with most G20 heads of state.
Key agenda focus: The summit will prioritise inclusive growth, climate resilience, AI governance, debt reform for developing nations, and global inequality, championed by South Africa’s presidency.

When is the G20?

22-23 November 2025

Where will it be held?

Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa

G20 SOUTH AFRICA

Side Events and Parallel Meetings

Youth20 (Y20) Summit

A youth delegates’ summit is expected to convene around the same time (dates TBD) to inject young leaders’ perspectives into the agenda.

Business 20 (B20) Summit

A convening of global business leaders is set for Nov 18–20 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This is the culmination of the B20 process, giving corporate input on trade, investment and industry issues.

G20 Social/Civil Society Summit

A “G20 Social Summit” (sometimes called C20) will run Nov 18–20 in Johannesburg. It brings together labor unions, NGOs and civil society to discuss social issues, gender, labor rights and sustainability.

Think20 (T20) Summit

G20-affiliated think tanks will hold a policy forum on Nov 13–14. This T20 meeting of experts develops analytical papers and recommendations for G20 leaders.

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G20 Sherpa and Finance & Central Banks Deputies meeting taking place in Sandton, Johannesburg

G20 South Africa: Global goals, local priorities

How South Africa’s G20 presidency can boost investor confidence and unlock opportunities for Africa.

19 min podcast

G20 FAQs

What is the G20?

The G20 is a group of 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union, representing the world's largest economies, and about 85% of global GDP. It was established to discuss global economic issues, promote financial stability and address pressing international challenges.

What are the G20 countries?

The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India , Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union and African Union are also permanent G20 members.

How does the G20 work?

The G20 is an informal yet key forum for international cooperation. Members meet annually to discuss and coordinate on global economic issues. The presidency rotates each year, setting the agenda and hosting the summit. Decisions are made through consensus; they are not legally binding, but influential in shaping global policies. Various working groups and ministerial meetings support the process, addressing specific issues like finance, trade, and development throughout the year.

When was the G20 established?

The G20 was established in 1999 in response to the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s.

How is the G20 presidency decided?

The G20 presidency rotates annually among its member countries. The selection follows a system where member countries are divided into five groups, each representing different regions. Each group takes turns nominating a country to hold the presidency. The chosen country sets the agenda, organises meetings, and hosts the annual summit.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva currently leads the G20, and will host the annual summit in 2024. Brazil took over the presidency from India, which held it in 2023.

How often is the G20 summit held?

The G20 summit is held annually. In addition to the main summit, various meetings and working groups occur throughout the year leading up to the event.

What is net zero?

Net zero refers to the balance between the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and those removed from it. Achieving net zero emissions means that the total emissions produced are offset by actions like carbon capture or reforestation, resulting in no net contribution to global warming, a crucial goal in addressing climate change.