21/11/2025
SV Online: What is the G20 and its meaning?
The G20 was created in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for fiance ministers and central bank governors; therefore expanded to include leaders and an inclusive global agenda.
G20 is the world's most powerful and influential economic forum. It brings together the world's biggest economies that represnt 85% of international Gross Domestic Product (GDP), another 75% of global trade and a two-thirds of the world's population.
The "20" in G20 does not refer to 20 countries but refers to 20 members - and not all its members are countries.
The G20 influence major and critical global initiatives that count the UN Pact for the Future and Agenda 2030. South Africa, as a member and 2025 host of G20, plays a significant role in shaping international agenda.
G20 influences among other policies on climate change, health systems, energy transitions, food security and digital governance.
G20 is made up of 19 individual countries, PLUS, 1 regional union: the European (EU), and from the year 2023, an additional regional union which is the African Union (AU) was admitted a a sustainable permanent member.
The 2025 G20 Summit is taking place on South Africa. Leaders across the world will be in the country for three days of high-level deliberations and negotiations.
Its programmes this weekend include the discussion on:
1. AU formal participation as a permanent member
2. Leaders' Summit on economic stability and more
3. Engagement Groups (B20, C20, L20, T20, Y20) to deliver recommendations to heads of
state
4. Ministerial meetings across finance, Energy, digital economy, and climate change.
There are 42 countries as confirmed by South Africa that are participating in G20. Not to forget a dramatic 11th hour twist , the United States of America signaling "...it may participate after announcing a full boycott just days ago."
Image: G20 SA
