Overview
- South Africa will host the first G20 leaders’ summit in Africa on Nov. 22–23 with tightened security, including 3,500 additional police and the army on standby.
- Leaders and envoys from 42 countries are expected, with India’s Narendra Modi and Australia’s Anthony Albanese attending, China represented by Li Qiang, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin absent under an ICC warrant.
- An Africa Expert Panel report delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa proposes a new refinancing scheme for debt‑distressed nations, including selective IMF gold sales and stronger transparency from credit rating agencies.
- Washington has directed that no U.S. officials attend and has urged members not to adopt a leaders’ declaration, raising fresh doubts about consensus outcomes.
- South Africa’s agenda prioritizes Global South concerns such as climate finance, critical minerals value chains and AI governance, with the African Union preparing to elevate African priorities.