South Africa has wrapped up its G20 Presidency by releasing the most extensive evaluation of the forum in its 20-year history, urging global leaders to streamline the G20’s agenda and strengthen its crisis-response role as geopolitical tensions and economic fragility rise.
The G20@20 Review, unveiled ahead of the Leaders’ Summit, assesses the group’s performance since it was elevated to a Leaders’ forum in 2008 and sets recommendations for its next cycle beginning under the United States in 2026.
The review concludes that the G20 remains a critical pillar of multilateralism, especially in moments of crisis. It highlights major achievements including:
- Coordinated fiscal action during the 2008–09 financial crisis,
- Pandemic-era mechanisms such as the Debt Service Suspension Initiative,
- Creation of the Financial Stability Board,
- Global tax reforms under the BEPS initiative and the Two-Pillar Solution,
- Progress on financial inclusion, food security, MDB reform, women’s empowerment, and employment.
However, members overwhelmingly agree that the G20’s effectiveness has declined in recent years due to a crowded agenda, geopolitical tensions, and weak continuity between rotating presidencies.
The report also urges the G20 to refocus on its core mandate of Strong, Sustainable, Balanced and Inclusive Growth, and to reduce the number of working groups—some of which members say have drifted away from the forum’s economic focus.
It also recommends:
- Sharpening the forum’s priorities,
- Strengthening the Troika (past, current and incoming presidencies) to ensure continuity,
- Keeping Leaders’ Declarations concise and strategic, and
- Improving cooperation with international organisations.
Through the review, South Africa positions the G20 for a more disciplined and agile second cycle of presidencies. Leaders at the Summit acknowledged the need to renew the forum’s effectiveness as it faces a fragmented global landscape marked by slow growth, high debt and rising political tensions.
The United States will take over the G20 Presidency in 2026, beginning the forum’s next chapter guided by South Africa’s recommendations.
