South Africa’s G20 presidency: Performance and prospects for the Johannesburg Summit

The G20’s compliance with its 2024 Rio de Janeiro Summit commitments offers a strong foundation to assess the prospects for its performance in 2025 and its overall efforts to address domestic and international issues around the world. Since 2008, G20 members have averaged 71% compliance with their leaders’ priority commitments, as assessed by the G20 Research Group. Compliance with commitments made at the 2023 New Delhi Summit was among the strongest, with near-perfect scores on several commitments, whereas compliance with Rio’s commitments has been more modest.

At the Rio Summit, leaders agreed to 174 commitments that prioritised climate change, institutional reform, health systems and inclusive socio-economic development. In line with these objectives, the G20 Research Group selected 13 priority commitments to monitor for compliance: four on climate, environment and energy; two on development; and seven spanning health systems, governance reform, fiscal policy, regional security, fertiliser shortages, women’s labour market participation and digital platform transparency. 

By May 2025, G20 members’ compliance with those 13 Rio commitments was only 64%, ranging from 88% on energy to 36% on food and agriculture. This performance reflects the wider global context, shaped by shifting governance, rising conflict and slower economic growth. Nonetheless, many G20 members did well, with the European Union leading at 92%, closely followed by Japan and the United Kingdom. Argentina, Russia and the United States, however, had compliance below 40%, with the lowest to date for the US at 31%. South Africa, which holds the current G20 presidency, had 62%. These scores indicate that the initial implementation of these commitments was underway, but with much room for improvement as members prepare for the Johannesburg Summit in November.

Performance and future prospects

Compliance is expected to increase moderately by the Johannesburg Summit, although major breakthroughs for low-scoring members and challenging commitments remain unlikely. 

Some commitments have clear pathways to implementation. Additional progress is expected on the commitment on energy transition supply chains, by May already the highest with 88% compliance. It is followed by the commitment on inclusive and equitable health systems at 83%. The 81% compliance with the commitments on disaster risk reduction and biodiversity will likely improve too, especially as the bio
diversity commitment is supported by strong implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The commitment on fiscal policy, with 79%, has also shown steady progress, reflecting a balance between fiscal responsibility and sustainable long-term growth. 

Medium prospects are likely for the commitment on digital platform transparency, with 55% interim compliance. It needs stronger stakeholder engagement and enforcement mechanisms to improve. With an interim score of 63%, the commitment on financial support for low- and middle-income countries would also benefit from bolstered World Bank capacity through increased funding and expanded partnerships with other international development institutions. The commitment on reducing greenhouse gases will likely maintain its average compliance of 64%, hindered by a lack of substantial action to address non-
carbon related emissions. 

Areas needing improvement include commitments with major gaps in implementation. The commitment on integration of the African Union, with 50% interim compliance, represents an important opportunity to demonstrate support for the trade and economic integration under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Also holding at 50% compliance, the commitment on reforming global governance institutions is shaped by a gap between the leaders’ pledge to a “reinvigorated multilateral system” and the realities of declining trust in multilateralism. Diverging priorities, rising isolationism and eroding trust in multilateralism have impeded progress, leaving institutions underfunded and reforms stalled. Similarly, the commitment on humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Lebanon faces obstacles, with the second lowest interim compliance score of 48%. G20 members have pledged to advance civilian protection and humanitarian aid, but progress has been hindered by a lack of concrete action and challenges in passing binding United Nations Security Council resolutions. The commitment on gender equality and labour markets, at 57%, requires measurable and specific actions to deliver on the G20 Roadmap Towards and Beyond the Brisbane Goal. Finally, the weakest performance is evident in the commitment on fertiliser shortages, with only 36%. Limited engagement in local fertiliser production, trade expansion, fertiliser efficiency and the adoption of biofertilisers has limited progress. 

Looking ahead

At the Johannesburg Summit, the G20 must move from reaffirming commitments towards concrete implementation. Since its inception, the G20 has provided a platform for cooperation between developed and emerging economies, adapting to crises while sustaining global stability and growth. South Africa’s presidency has emphasised practical solutions and reducing inequalities across the macro
economic, development, environment and health sectors, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. To remain credible, the G20 must show that it can not only pledge solidarity, equality and sustainability, but can also deliver real outcomes. The true test at Johannesburg is whether members can close the gap between consensus building and implementation, while restoring confidence in the G20 as a forum for driving meaningful progress.