South Africa to Host Landmark G20 Social Summit Focused on Equity and Inclusion
South Africa is preparing to host the G20 Social Summit, a significant initiative designed to prioritize social growth, equity, and inclusion alongside traditional macroeconomic and financial concerns within the G20 framework. The summit, scheduled for November 18-20, 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Center in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province, aims to ensure the voices and lived experiences of ordinary citizens – particularly the most vulnerable – directly influence G20 outcomes.
The summit will convene a broad coalition of stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, labor groups, youth representatives, women’s groups, persons with disabilities, philanthropic organizations, and grassroots movements. To oversee the association and facilitation of this inclusive platform, President Ramaphosa has appointed Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and former Deputy President Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as Co-Convenors, representing both governmental and civil society perspectives.Their mandate focuses on stakeholder engagement and aligning the summit’s objectives with broader G20 priorities.
A key goal of the summit is to deliver a G20 Social declaration reflecting the aspirations and realities of citizens globally, fostering global solidarity and advancing inclusive development. South Africa views this as a unique opportunity to champion the African Agenda and the priorities of the Global South within the G20’s premier international economic forum.
The summit builds upon the work of the 13 official G20 Engagement groups, which throughout the year develop proposals and communiqués to inform G20 policy. These groups – representing diverse sectors - are: W20 (Women), L20 (Labour), B20 (Business), T20 (Think Tanks), C20 (Civil Society), SAI20 (Supreme Audit Institutions), Y20 (Youth), U20 (Urban), S20 (Science), Startup20, J20 (Judiciary/Supreme Courts), O20 (Ocean), P20 (Parliament), and the G20 EMPOWER Alliance.
The summit’s agenda includes thematic sessions on November 19th focusing on critical issues such as Digital Inclusion and Equitable Transformation, Trade, Resilience & Inclusive Value Chains, Inclusive Climate Justice, a Just Transition, and Energy Democracy, A Just and Enduring Finance and International Financial Architecture, and building Momentum for the Achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will address the opening ceremony and people’s conversations on Tuesday, November 18th at 13h00. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the closing address on Thursday, November 20th at 11h00, and receive the final declaration from participating delegates. Representatives from the Federative Republic of Brazil, a member of the G20 troika, will also participate in the closing ceremony.
