G20
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is an international forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world's major advanced and emerging economies. Established in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, the G20 was initially a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors, but was elevated to a leaders' summit in 2008 during the global financial crisis. Member countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside the EU. Together, G20 members account for approximately 85% of global GDP, over 75% of international trade and about two-thirds of the world's population. The forum meets annually, with the presidency rotating among member states, and focuses on coordinating policy on issues including financial stability, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy and anticorruption. The G20 has no permanent secretariat; each host country organises the summit and sets the agenda for its term. South Africa became a founding member in 1999 and is the only African nation in the group, giving it a platform to represent broader continental interests. Decisions and commitments are articulated in leaders' communiqués and declarations, though the G20 has no binding enforcement mechanism. The forum also engages with international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations, and consults civil society and business groups through outreach programmes.
G20 Updates
Ramokgopa urges Africa to turn cross-border power plans into bankable projects
By: Mariaan Webb 17th June 2026 Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has called for Africa to accelerate the implementation of cross-border electricity... →
SA: Paul Mashatile: Address by Deputy President, on the conclusion of the first leg of his working visit to India (02/06/2026)
2nd June 2026 During the first leg of our Working Visit, we had high-level bilateral meetings with His Excellency Vice President Chandrapuram... →
Daily Podcast – May 29, 2026
By: Reza Creamer 29th May 2026 Making headlines: Defence force confirms troops will not be deployed to anti-immigrant marches; Mashatile arrives in India for bilateral visit;... →
Mashatile arrives in India for ‘reaffirming’ bilateral visit
By: Reza Creamer 29th May 2026 Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrived in India’s capital of New Delhi, on Friday, for a five-day trip aimed at strengthening the diplomatic and... →
Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrives in India for working visit
29th May 2026 His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has on Friday, 29 May 2026, arrived in the... →
SA: Ronald Lamola: Address by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the International Relations and Cooperation Dept Budget Vote 2026/27, Parliament, Cape town (26/0/2026)
29th May 2026 That victory paved the way for the legislative machinery of apartheid, intensifying racial segregation and stripping most of the people of this... →
South Africa’s G20 Presidency in a fragmented world
28th May 2026 The purpose of this report is to critically analyse the Group of 20 (G20) South Africa Leaders’ Summit Declaration. The Declaration was written in... →
SA: Ronald Lamola: Address by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the Ministerial Session of the Sixth Session of the Bi-National Commission, Gaborone, Botswana (20/05/2026)
20th May 2026 We are holding this meeting in the aftermath of a difficult moment. A few days ago, Botswana, joined by friends from near and far, bid farewell to... →
Ramaphosa warns global inequality entrenches poverty, calls for independent panel to be recognised 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 24th April 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday declared global inequality as one of the most pressing threats to human progress, warning that it stunts... →
The IMF enjoys preferred creditor status: why it shouldn’t be the judge when it comes to other lenders
20th April 2026 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should not be an arbiter of discussions about which other multilateral financial institutions should qualify... →
