The recent G20 Summit hosted by South Africa concluded with a significant joint declaration focused on enhancing global resilience while promoting a fair and inclusive future for all nations.
Established in 1999, the G20 was formed in response to various global economic crises. It serves as a premier forum uniting the world's largest economies—both developed and developing—to tackle major international economic issues. The G20 accounts for approximately 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and nearly two-thirds of the global population.
Members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, along with the European Union and the African Union. The presidency rotates annually among these members, who set the agenda and host the summit.
Leaders highlighted the interconnected nature of global challenges, reaffirming their dedication to multilateral cooperation in the face of geopolitical conflicts and socio-economic pressures.
A strong call was made for reforming the UN Security Council, with India advocating for enhanced representation for underrepresented regions such as Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The joint declaration unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, emphasizing a united front against such threats.
Leaders reiterated their commitment to gender equality by promoting women-led development, addressing structural barriers, and acknowledging women as vital agents of peace and progress.
India advocated for responsible artificial intelligence usage with strong human oversight, safety-by-design principles, and strict regulations against misuse for criminal purposes. An AI Impact Summit will be hosted by India in February 2026 under the theme “Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya” (Welfare and Happiness for All).
India stressed the importance of combating drug trafficking, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which are increasingly used to fund terrorism.
This initiative aims to train one million certified trainers across Africa over the next decade, laying a robust foundation for sustainable growth and employment.
India also supported the establishment of a Global Healthcare Response Team, a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, an Open Satellite Data Partnership, and a Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative.
The summit encountered challenges due to the absence of the United States and several other countries, which hindered consensus-building and effective execution of commitments.
Another significant challenge involves the Global Minimum Tax, aimed at ensuring large multinational enterprises pay a minimum tax rate of 15% in every jurisdiction, which helps reduce profit shifting to low-tax countries.
Divergences among members, particularly objections from the United States regarding the summit’s agenda on climate change and global wealth inequality, restricted agreement on several issues.
Ongoing trade tensions, particularly tariff disputes among major economies such as the US, China, India, and BRICS nations, have further complicated cooperation within the G20.
Geopolitical upheavals and strategic rivalries have led to a growing lack of mutual trust, impacting the forum's efficacy.
The United States boycotted the summit citing concerns over South Africa’s domestic policies, particularly discrimination against the white minority and violence against white farmers, amidst ongoing land reform initiatives.
Greater efforts must be made to foster trust through consistent engagement and open dialogue on critical global issues.
Enhanced discussions at the Sherpa level can help bridge diverse perspectives and support consensus-building on complex topics.
Reaffirming the G20’s informal, leader-led, and consensus-based nature is essential to ensure timely responses to crises and adaptability to emerging global priorities.
Close coordination with international organisations is critical for ensuring evidence-based inputs, continuity in policy implementation, and effective monitoring of G20 commitments.
Consistent engagement with guest countries can bring diverse perspectives, improve inclusivity, and strengthen the G20’s effectiveness in addressing global challenges.
The G20 remains the world's most influential informal multilateral forum, representing both developed and developing nations and over two-thirds of the global population. Its role in addressing regional and global challenges is crucial, demanding a broader, more inclusive, and cooperative vision for the future.
Q1. What is the G20 Summit?
Answer: The G20 Summit is an annual meeting of leaders from the world's major economies to discuss international economic cooperation and address global challenges.
Q2. What were the key outcomes of the G20 Summit 2025?
Answer: Key outcomes included strengthening multilateral cooperation, advocating for UN Security Council reform, and promoting women's empowerment and AI ethics
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