“G20 Summit 2025: A Historic African Gathering Strengthening Global Governance Through Ubuntu
G20 Summit 2025
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Date: 22–23 November 2025
Theme: Solidarity • Equality • Sustainability
Significance: First-ever G20 Summit hosted on African soil.
1. Why This Summit Was Important
- Marked a major shift towards Global South priorities.
- Focused on inequality, development, climate finance, and debt relief.
- Africa’s issues (development + energy transition) took centre stage.
- Hosted under South Africa’s presidency (Dec 2024–Nov 2025).
2. Major Global Context
- Heightened geopolitical tensions.
- US President did NOT attend (boycott) → raised unity concerns.
- Economic slowdown, climate risks, and high debt in developing countries.
3. Key Agenda Priorities
- Inclusive Global Growth & Reducing Inequality
- Climate Action & Energy Transition Funding
- Food Security & Agricultural Resilience
- Reforming Global Governance & MDBs
- Debt Relief for Developing Nations
- Sustainable Development & Critical Minerals
4. Important Outcomes (Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration)
- Adopted a 122-point declaration early in the summit.
- Strong push for:
- Climate finance expansion
- Just energy transition for Africa
- Debt restructuring mechanisms
- Greater representation of Global South in financial institutions
- Emphasis on the African philosophy of “Ubuntu” (shared humanity).
- Renewed global commitment to multilateralism despite absences.
5. Country / Bloc Highlights (Exam-Focused)
- India: Climate justice, digital public infrastructure, food security.
- South Africa (Host): Inequality, energy transition, Africa-centric development.
- US: Boycotted summit → no new commitments.
- EU: Strong climate action & sustainable supply chains.
- China: Debt relief, financial reform, Global South cooperation.
- Russia: Multipolarity, alternative payment systems, energy security.
- African Union: Development finance, debt relief, fair global governance.
6. Key Terms to Remember
- Global South Agenda
- Just Energy Transition
- Debt Sustainability & Relief
- Ubuntu Philosophy
- Climate Finance Gap
- Reform of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)
7. Likely Exam Questions (UPSC/BPSC/SSC)
1. Why was the 2025 G20 Summit historically significant?
→ First summit in Africa; emphasised Global South priorities.
2. What were the major themes of the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Declaration?
→ Inequality reduction, climate finance, food security, governance reform.
3. What caused geopolitical tension at the summit?
→ US President did not attend.
4. What role did India play in the summit?
→ Advocated climate justice, digital public infrastructure, and food security.
These are last minute revision notes with brief notes. It needs to elaborate.
