Overview

• South Africa has assumed the G20 presidency, marking the first time an African nation leads the group of major economies, which includes 19 countries, the EU, and the African Union.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa announced key priorities, including mobilizing climate finance for disaster-stricken nations, ensuring fair debt relief for low-income countries, and supporting renewable energy transitions in developing economies.
• Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of addressing inequality and aligning climate action with economic development, building on lessons from Brazil's G20 leadership.
• The presidency comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump signals a combative foreign policy, including threats of new tariffs and skepticism toward international climate cooperation.
• The 2025 G20 summit will be held in Johannesburg, with South Africa working alongside Brazil and the U.S. to shape the agenda and advance the interests of the Global South.