This weekend, Nov 22-23, 2025, world leaders converge in South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg, for the G20 Summit – a gathering that represents about 80 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population.
With rising geopolitical tensions and fragmented multilateralism, the summit is billed as a chance to rebuild eroding trust. But some delegations have announced they will not attend the full meeting, raising questions about consensus on critical issues like climate finance, digital regulation and equitable vaccine access.
As Zheng Junfeng of the Chinese mainland broadcaster CGTN notes, the G20 must serve as a stabilizer, not a source of division. That 80 percent GDP share underlines the group's collective power to set economic and policy frameworks that ripple across markets.
Despite high-profile absences, negotiators are pushing ahead. Working groups on green energy transitions and global debt relief are already drafting proposals. Data-driven forecasts suggest that even small agreements on renewable investment could unlock tens of billions in funding for emerging markets.
This summit's success will hinge on bridging divergent priorities. Can shared economic interests outweigh political rifts? Watch for the leaders' final communique on Sunday, Nov 23, as they seek a path forward in a world that can no longer afford fragmentation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
