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Anu Maria Joseph
1 December 2025 |
On 22-23 November, Johannesburg hosted the 2025 G20 Summit. South Africa, the first African country to host the G20, adopted "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability" as its theme for the G20 presidency. On the first day of the summit, the G20 leaders adopted the "G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders' Declaration." Ramaphosa stated: "The summit produced a declaration that affirmed the indisputable strength and value of multilateralism in response to the most pressing challenges facing the world." The Summit constituted three major sessions on: "Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth," "A Resilient World," and "A Fair and Just Future for All."
The absence of the US was discussed. President Trump stated that the US did not attend the summit because South Africa was persecuting white Afrikaners. He said: "To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them." Ramaphosa responded that Trump's decision was "regrettable," noting that South Africa has worked to strengthen ties with Washington. The 2026 G20 Summit will be hosted by the US. Trump said that South Africa will not be invited.
Who said what? Major Takeaways
1. The Spirit of Ubuntu
Cyril Ramaphosa, The Host & President of South Africa
At the inaugural address, Ramaphosa called for commitment to a just, inclusive and sustainable world. It was the first time the G20 was being held in Africa after the AU joined the group in 2023. Ramaphosa spoke of the "spirit of Ubuntu," which teaches that "progress is not a solitary pursuit but a shared endeavour." he stressed that Africa's success is important for "prosperity across the globe."
2. "Solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere"
Li Qiang, China’s Premier
On 22-23 November, China's Premier Li Qiang addressed the G20's sessions. Highlighting the major challenges to the global economy, Li pointed to Xi Jinping's comment during the 17th G20 summit: "Solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere."
The following are the major takeaways of Li's addresses:
First, differences and conflicts need adherence to the principle of seeking common ground. Li highlighted that the current global situation is challenged by "unilateralism and protectionism," alongside escalating trade restrictions and confrontation. He hinted at divergent interests and weakness in global cooperation as the main reasons behind the challenges. He noted that a global economic recovery requires solidarity, free trade and an open world economy. He also called for reforms of the World Bank, IMF and WTO, to include the voice of developing countries and build an open and fair international economic and trade order.
Second, on the climate issue, the G20 should uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Li commented that the G20 should abide by the "science-based spirit" and the "principle of common but differentiated responsibilities" while addressing climate change and ecology issues. He raised China's commitment to cooperate with all parties of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and implement the promises of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Third, the G20 should lead a just energy transition. Li said that to achieve a just energy transition, the G20 should cooperate in the green industry, keep the supply chain stable and facilitate the free flow of technologies and products.
Fourth, on AI and critical minerals, China called for technology sharing, balanced distribution and peaceful utilisation. Hinting at the new inequalities and development gaps amidst the scientific and technological developments, Li called on the G20 to adhere to "openness, win-win cooperation and shared opportunities." He welcomed more countries to join the World AI Cooperation Organisation and the Action Plan of International Cooperation in Open Science, to carry out a beneficial, safe and fair development of AI. He also called for the implementation of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework. Li noted that China seeks a more balanced distribution of mineral supply chains to safeguard the interests of developing countries.
3. "The G20 may be coming to the end of a cycle"
Emmanuel Macron, President of France
On 22 November, speaking at the opening address, France's President Emmanuel Macron raised concerns regarding the future of the G20. He stated that the G20, a group of the world's major economies, are "at risk," struggling to tackle international crises. He stated: “We are living in a moment of geopolitics in which we are struggling to resolve major crises together around this table, including with members who are not present today." He added: “The G20 may be coming to the end of a cycle."
The following are the major takeaways of his address.
First, the absence of the US raises the question of the G20's viability. Macron pointed out that the absence of the US, the most influential member of the group, is a major drawback to the relevance of the group. He commented that addressing global issues requires collective engagement. He added that the US absence highlights the G20's diminishing effectiveness.
Second, there is no common ground on humanitarian law and sovereignty. Macron described the US plan to end the war in Ukraine as unilateral and pointed to Russia's hardline demands. Emphasising that "there can be no peace in Ukraine without Ukrainians, without respect for their sovereignty," Macron highlighted that the peace plan disregards Ukraine's sovereignty and humanitarian law. He called for a collective re-engagement of the G20 to have concrete actions to address the issues.
3. "Resilience cannot be built in silos"
Narendra Modi, India's Prime Minister
On 22-23 November, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the three sessions during the summit. His address began with the comment that "the historic initiatives taken at the New Delhi G20 Summit have been furthered here." The following are the takeaways of Modi's addresses.
First, 'Integral Humanism' should be a path for sustainable economic growth. Emphasising how parameters of growth have left many populations deprived of resources, especially in Africa, Modi called for a reconsideration of parameters of development as Africa hosts the G20 Summit for the first time. He commented that 'Integral Humanism,' an important Indian civilisational value, should be a path to address the issue. He stressed the importance of considering humans, society and nature as an "integrated whole."
Second, on traditional knowledge, Africa's skills, natural disasters, and drug trafficking, Modi proposed four joint initiatives for the G20. Modi proposed a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, with the Indian Knowledge Systems initiative as a foundation to "transmit" humanity's traditional knowledge to future generations. He proposed a G20-Africa Skills Multiplier initiative to develop one million African skilled youth to build local capacity and strengthen Africa's long-term development. He called for the G20 to consider health emergencies and natural disasters as a collective responsibility. He said: "Our approach to disaster resilience must move from being ‘response-centric’ to being ‘development-centric’" and proposed a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. He commented that drug trafficking is a global threat and a major means of financing terrorism. To address the issue, Modi proposed the G20 Initiative Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus.
Third, critical minerals and space should be shared resources. Modi said that sustainable clean energy is essential for global growth and, therefore, critical minerals should be seen as a shared resource for humanity. On the issue, Modi proposed the G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to enhance recycling, urban mining and second-life batteries and enable "joint research, common technology standards and recycling in the Global South." On Space, Modi proposed the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make satellite data and analysis from G20 space agencies more accessible.
Fourth, AI should focus on three pillars: "equitable access, population-scale skilling, and responsible deployment." Modi said that increasing competition for critical technology is a concerning matter for humanity. To address the challenge, G20 shall promote "technology applications that are ‘human-centric’ rather than ‘finance-centric’, that are ‘global’ rather than merely ‘national’, and that follow ‘open-source’ models rather than ‘exclusive’ ones." He stated that G20 should ensure the use of AI for global good and the need for global combat on AI by including "human oversight, safety-by-design, transparency, and strict prohibitions on the use of AI for deepfakes, crime, and terrorist activities."
4. The goal is to create dependency and support self-sufficiency
Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister
On 22-23 November, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed the three sessions at the G20 Summit with a focus on cooperation and development for the future of Africa. The following are the takeaways of her addresses.
First, Africa should be looked at as not a problem but an opportunity. Meloni pointed at the Mattei Plan for Africa, involving 14 African countries, which focuses on African development through a bottom-up approach with respect. She cited Italy's plan to construct the Lobito Corridor between Angola and Zambia to connect the isolated regions. She also commented on opening the AI Hub for sustainable development, involving hundreds of African start-ups. She also focused on the issue of African migration to Europe and Italy's plan to establish the Global Partnership for Education campaign with Nigeria to improve the education of 750 million children. She also addressed the issue of the debt crisis of African countries and promised to reduce debts by 50 per cent over the next ten years.
Second, on climate change, a pragmatic balance is needed between the reduction of emissions and advanced productive systems. She reiterated that the G20 faces a challenge in adopting a principle of technological neutrality because of the challenge to quickly build alternatives to fossil fuels. She raised Italy's commitment to cooperate with member countries on industrial expertise, and technological capabilities on renewables, gas, hydrogen, biofuels, CO2 capture systems, and research into nuclear fusion, to produce clean, safe and unlimited energy.
5. "Africa and Europe are neighbours, and we need each other"
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s Chancellor
On 22-23 November, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's address at the G20 was focused on "Africa and Europe are neighbours, and we need each other." The following are the takeaways of the press conference he delivered post-summit.
First, an African partnership is important for Germany. Merz said for Germany, Africa is an anchor of stability, and it is important that we offer raw materials, open markets and free trade with the continent. He added that Germany root for the Pan-African Free Trade Area, which will create a market of 1.3 billion people and an investment opportunity for Europe.
Second, the G20 should work towards strengthening the international order. Merz stressed that along with G20 partners, Germany should strengthen the international order based on law, rules and reliability. He hinted at the rivalry between the great powers and the importance of Africa in bringing solutions to the major challenges.
Third, the Ukraine war should end with Europe's consent. Merz stated that the war in Ukraine can only end with Ukraine's, Germany's and the EU's consent. He added that the Ukraine war is a war on the European continent and that Ukraine losing the war will "have repercussions for the security of Europe." While he appreciated Trump's peace plan, he said that he made Germany's position clear to Trump that the peace plan requires more security guarantees, as Russia cannot be trusted.
6. Japan plans to diversify the scope of cooperation from Africa to Latin America and the Caribbean
Sanae Takaichi, Japanese Prime Minister
On 22-23 November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the first and third sessions of the G20. Her address focused on the G20's shared responsibility to act cooperatively for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The following are the major takeaways of Takaichi's addresses.
First, a call for a rules-based, free and fair international economic order. Takaichi stressed that the G20, having a major responsibility for global economic growth, "countries with current account deficits should address the economic imbalances by ensuring fiscal sustainability, while countries with current account surpluses should abolish non-market policies and practices." She called for a realisation of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and a WTO reform. She announced plans to expand the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for developing country companies to access bonds and credit guarantees. She also called for the G20 Common Framework to implement debt reconstruction and transparency.
Second, strengthening and diversifying the critical mineral supply chain is essential. She raised the issue of export control on critical minerals and unevenly distributed critical minerals. On the issue, she called for a resilient and reliable supply chain and promotion of sustainable resource projects.
Third, a safe, secure and reliable AI ecosystem. Takaichi stressed that to avoid information security risks, the G20 needs to build a safe, secure and reliable AI ecosystem. She also pointed to the Hiroshima AI Process, the first international code of conduct on generative AI, as an example of governance of AI. She also commented on the "AI and Data Science Human Resource Development and African Economic Growth Initiative" announced at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 9.
7. "US no longer economic gravity centre"
Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister
On 22-23 November, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the G20 Summit, focusing on diversifying investments and trade partnerships across the world.
First, the vision of “reliance to resilience.” At G20, Carney announced initiatives to shift dependence on traditional partners, by "building a dense web" of new partnerships "to attract investment, diversify trade, and double non-U.S. exports." As part of the plan, he announced Canada's plan for USD one trillion new investments over the next five years in the sectors of energy, AI, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and food across the world.
Second, South Africa-Canada relations are important. The addresses highlighted partnership and trade initiatives with South Africa, which is Canada's largest trading partner in Africa. Carney launched discussions on the "Canada-South Africa Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement" and concluded negotiations on the "Canada-South Africa Nuclear Cooperation Agreement" on clean energy.
About the author
Anu Maria Joseph is a Project Associate at NIAS.
