7 Key Highlights That Will Shape the High-Stakes G20 Summit in Johannesburg

7 Key Highlights That Will Shape the High-Stakes G20 Summit in Johannesburg, focusing on debt, energy transition, and climate resilience.The 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place in Johannesburg from November 21–23, marks a historic moment for global diplomacy. As the first G20 Summit ever held on African soil, the event carries significant political and symbolic weight, especially for the Global South.

Under South Africa’s Presidency and its theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the summit is expected to highlight major global economic and developmental challenges while continuing momentum built by Indonesia, India, and Brazil during their consecutive presidencies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent India at the Summit, presenting New Delhi’s priorities and perspectives rooted in sustainable development, multilateral reform, climate responsibility, and Global South solidarity.

With the United States boycotting the Summit and several other leaders missing, India’s participation becomes even more crucial in ensuring continuity and consensus at the world’s premier economic forum. Below is an in-depth analysis of the priorities, themes, diplomatic engagements, challenges, and India’s expected role at the Johannesburg G20 Summit.

7 Key Highlights That Will Shape the High-Stakes G20 Summit in Johannesburg

South Africa’s G20 Priorities: Four Strategic Pillars for a Changing World

South Africa has identified four major priority areas that will guide the negotiations and shape the Summit Declaration:

1. Debt Sustainability for Low-Income Countries

Debt distress has emerged as one of the most urgent global economic challenges. A growing number of low-income and developing nations are struggling to meet repayment obligations, often leading to reduced spending on health, education, and public welfare. South Africa aims to use the G20 platform to push for coordinated multilateral action, debt restructuring, and sustainable financing mechanisms.

2. Mobilising Finance for a Just Energy Transition

Energy transition remains a cornerstone of G20 discussions. For South Africa—and the Global South more broadly—transitioning away from fossil fuels requires not only political will but also substantial financial support from developed economies. The focus will be on unlocking clean-energy investment, ensuring affordability, and preventing economic shocks during this transition.

3. Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Response

The frequency and severity of climate-induced disasters have surged in recent years. South Africa intends to emphasise the need for global coordination on disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, financing mechanisms, and climate adaptation strategies.

4. Harnessing Critical Minerals for Sustainable Development

Africa is home to vast reserves of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earths—essential for EVs, batteries, electronics, and renewable energy systems. South Africa aims to position the continent not merely as a supplier of raw materials but as a strategic player in global supply chains.

These four pillars reflect the broader concerns of the Global South, which has increasingly shaped the G20’s agenda in recent years.

India’s Perspective: Continuity, Leadership & Global South Advocacy

Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela underscored that India sees the Johannesburg Summit as an opportunity to ensure continuity of its priorities from its own successful G20 Presidency in 2023. India’s presidency had significantly advanced the inclusion of the African Union into the G20, an achievement that will be further cemented at this Summit.

In line with the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“One Earth, One Family, One Future”—India will focus on:

• sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• reform of global governance institutions
• bridging the digital divide
• inclusive economic growth
• climate action
• just energy transition
• disaster resilience
• multilateral cooperation
• and Global South empowerment

PM Modi will speak at all three major sessions of the Summit.

A Summit Overshadowed by the U.S. Boycott and Geopolitical Tensions

A significant point of global attention is U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that no U.S. government official will participate, accusing South Africa of discrimination against its white minority population. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed the boycott as “their loss,” signalling that the Summit would proceed without disruption.

Other leaders skipping the meeting include:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin
• Chinese President Xi Jinping (Premier Li Qiang is likely to represent China)

The absence of these major leaders shapes the geopolitical environment and may influence the dynamics of the Joint Declaration.

India to Push Terrorism Concerns Despite G20’s Economic Mandate

Although G20 primarily discusses economic issues, India seeks strong mention of terrorism in the Summit Declaration. Dalela reiterated that terrorism remains “a very important subject” for India, and all issues of national and global importance will be highlighted.

India is expected to:

• push for condemnation of cross-border terrorism
• underscore the links between terrorism and organised crime
• highlight financing and radicalisation networks
• emphasise the global economic cost of terrorism

However, whether this will find a place in the final declaration depends on consensus among G20 members.

Key Components of PM Modi’s G20 Participation

1. Three Main Summit Sessions

PM Modi will speak in all three sessions, which include:

Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth

• financing for development
• global trade
• debt burden and relief
• economic growth without leaving anyone behind

A Resilient World

• disaster risk reduction
• climate change strategies
• just energy transitions
• food systems and supply-chain stability

A Fair and Just Future for All

• critical minerals
• decent work and labour rights
• artificial intelligence governance

India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework—which gained global recognition during India’s G20 Presidency—may also feature prominently.

IBSA Leaders’ Meeting: A Trilateral Focus on Global South Priorities

Modi will join leaders from Brazil and South Africa for the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting, a key trilateral platform focusing on cooperation across:

• political coordination
• trilateral development projects
• people-to-people contact
• food security and hunger alleviation through the IBSA Fund

The IBSA grouping has become an influential voice advocating for developing nations within global governance structures.

Strengthening Bilateral Engagements in Johannesburg

India is organising a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. While details are still being finalised, PM Modi is expected to engage with leaders from:

• African Union
• BRICS nations
• emerging economies
• invited countries and blocs

These meetings will likely address:

• investment and trade
• defence and security
• digital cooperation
• technology partnerships
• and Global South alignment

India–South Africa bilateral ties are expected to receive particular focus. As robust democracies in Asia and Africa, the two nations share political values and cooperate across three pillars:

1. Political coordination
2. Trilateral development cooperation
3. IBSA-related Global South initiatives

Africa Takes Centre Stage: A Long-Awaited Moment

For Africa, the Summit signifies:

• representation
• leadership
• and strategic positioning in global economic policymaking

With the African Union now a permanent member of the G20, the continent gains:

• stronger voice in global economic governance
• more influence in shaping climate and development financing
• opportunities to advocate for equitable energy transition
• better leverage in critical mineral value chains

The Summit thus marks a turning point for Africa’s global role.

Global South Presidencies and the Rise of a New International Narrative

The Johannesburg Summit is the fourth consecutive G20 hosted by a Global South nation, following:

• Indonesia (2022)
• India (2023)
• Brazil (2024)
• South Africa (2025)

This streak reflects a growing shift in global power dynamics, where developing nations assert agency in:

• climate talks
• energy transition
• debt reform
• digital governance
• food security
• and sustainable development

India has strongly advocated for elevating Global South concerns, and this Summit reinforces that progress.

What to Watch: Key Outcomes to Look For

The Johannesburg G20 Summit is expected to produce important developments in the following areas:

1. Debt Relief Roadmap

Whether G20 members can agree on a structured, time-bound approach to debt restructuring for low-income nations.

2. Funding Mechanisms for Just Energy Transition

Expected announcements on climate finance, renewable energy transitions, and technology transfer.

3. Disaster Preparedness Framework

A global coordinated blueprint on early warning systems and disaster resilience.

4. Critical Minerals Governance

Global guidelines for sourcing, processing, and equitable distribution of minerals central to green technologies.

5. Global South Alignment

Strengthening coalitions to influence global multilateral reforms.

6. Digital Public Infrastructure Expansion

India may push for DPI sharing with developing economies.

7. Language on Terrorism

Whether India succeeds in securing strong wording in the Joint Declaration.

Conclusion

The Johannesburg G20 Summit arrives at a pivotal moment for global governance. As South Africa leads with a focus on solidarity, equality, and sustainability, the world looks toward collaborative action on debt sustainability, just energy transition, climate resilience, and critical mineral strategies.

India, representing both a major global economy and a key voice of the Global South, is expected to play a central role in advocating inclusive growth, development financing, and cooperation among emerging economies.

Despite geopolitical tussles and the notable U.S. absence, the Summit presents an opportunity to advance a collective agenda that prioritises global equity and long-term stability. As PM Modi participates in sessions, bilateral meetings, and the IBSA gathering, India’s contributions will be closely watched for shaping consensus and ensuring continuity in the G20’s evolving mission.

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