G20 factsheet series

This factsheet by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) provides an overview of the Group of 20 (G20), its governance, and the specific context of South Africa's 2025 presidency. It details the G20's composition, its operational tracks, the role of civil society engagement groups like the C20, and South Africa's priorities for its term.

• The G20 is a consensus-seeking dialogue mechanism established in 1999 to address global financial crises, lacking an international mandate, a permanent secretariat, or the ability to make binding decisions. Its members produce 85% of global GDP, account for over 75% of global trade, cover 60% of the world's land area, and represent nearly two-thirds of the global population.
• The G20 operates through a rotating annual presidency and a 'troika' system to ensure smooth handovers. For the 2025 cycle, the troika consists of Brazil (2024 chair), South Africa (2025 chair), and the United States (2026 chair). The host country sets the agenda and organizes the summit, which is scheduled for November 22-23, 2025, in South Africa.
• G20 activities are divided into two primary tracks: the Finance Track, managed by finance ministers and central bank governors focusing on economic and financial issues via seven working groups, and the Sherpa Track, led by senior diplomats focusing on negotiations and summit preparation via fifteen working groups.
• For its 2025 presidency, South Africa has established three specific task forces: Task Force 1 on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality; Task Force 2 on Food Security; and Task Force 3 on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
• Civil society can influence the G20 through various 'Engagement Groups' based on societal sectors, such as the B20 (business), L20 (labour), T20 (think tanks), U20 (cities), Y20 (youth), and W20 (women). The C20 (Civil 20) specifically represents organized civil society through ten working groups and produces policy briefs, communiqués, and a final declaration.
• South Africa's 2025 G20 priorities include reducing inequality, promoting inclusive economic growth, ensuring food security, managing debt sustainability, mobilizing climate finance, and leveraging critical minerals. Additionally, Minister Ronald Lamola stated that South Africa will conduct a review of the G20's implementation of resolutions, resulting in a 'G20 @ 20 report'.

APA

Institute for Economic Justice (2025). G20 factsheet series. https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IEJ-G20factsheet1-What-is-the-G20-web-1.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Economic Justice. G20 factsheet series. 2025. https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IEJ-G20factsheet1-What-is-the-G20-web-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Economic Justice |title=G20 factsheet series |date=August 2025 |url=https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IEJ-G20factsheet1-What-is-the-G20-web-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforeconomicjustice2025g20, author = {{Institute for Economic Justice}}, title = {{G20 factsheet series}}, institution = {Institute for Economic Justice}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IEJ-G20factsheet1-What-is-the-G20-web-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }