SYLLABUS

GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 

Context: A Group of 20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg South Africa adopted a Leaders' Declaration addressing the climate crisis.

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• South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025.

• The theme for South Africa’s G20 Presidency is Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.

• South African President described the G20 Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration as a major affirmation of the importance of multilateralism and constructive dialogue.

• South African President announced that the declaration reflects wide-ranging commitments by the Group of Twenty to build a more equal, sustainable and cooperative global order.

• The United States, which will host the G20 in 2026, attempted to prevent the adoption of a leaders’ declaration, urging South Africa to issue only a host-country statement, but South Africa refused to alter its position.

Key highlights of the Declaration 

• Affirmation of Multilateralism: The declaration underscores the value of multilateral cooperation and sustained dialogue as essential tools for addressing global challenges.

• Commitment to Reduce Inequality: Member countries commit to tackling global inequality by supporting inclusive development, with particular attention to Africa and the broader Global South.

• Reform of International Financial Systems: The declaration calls for reforms aimed at easing debt burdens on developing countries and improving access to finance for sustainable development.

• Lack of Full Consensus: Despite South Africa’s claim of unanimous support, Argentina publicly distanced itself from the declaration, resulting in the absence of complete endorsement from all Group of Twenty members.

• Agenda Embedded in the Declaration: The declaration is understood to reflect South Africa’s focus on addressing climate change, reducing global inequality, supporting developing countries in disaster recovery, easing debt burdens and enabling sustainable use of critical minerals.

About G-20

• The G20, or “Group of Twenty”, is a forum that brings together the world’s major economies to discuss economic, political and social issues of global significance.

• It serves as the primary platform for international economic cooperation, a role formally recognised at the Pittsburgh Summit in September 2009.

• Collectively, G20 members account for approximately 85% of global GDP, over 75% of world trade, and around two-thirds of the world’s population, with additional invited guest countries and international organisations participating each year.

• The G20 comprises 21 members: South Africa, African Union, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.

About G-20 Summit

• The G20 Summit is held annually and brings together Heads of State or Government from member countries to deliberate on global priorities.

• The G20 Leaders’ Summit was created in 2008 in response to the global financial crisis triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, upgrading the earlier meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to the level of Heads of State.

• The summits were held twice a year until 2010 and annually from 2011 onwards.

• The G20 operates through an annually rotating presidency. Brazil transferred the presidency to South Africa on 1 December 2024, and South Africa will hand it over to the United States in December 2025.

Source :
G20
SA News
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