What is the G20?

The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together the world's major advanced and emerging economies. It was founded in 1999 in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis to coordinate macroeconomic policy and financial stability among its members.

The G20 now comprises 21 members: 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US), the European Union, and — since September 2023 — the African Union. Together, G20 members account for approximately 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world's population.

The African Union was admitted as the 21st permanent member at the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi (September 2023), during India's presidency — the first expansion since the group's formation in 1999.

Key Features

# Feature Details
1 Founded 1999 (finance ministers' forum); leaders' summit since 2008 (Washington DC)
2 Members 19 countries + EU + African Union = 21
3 No Permanent Secretariat Presidency rotates annually; host country manages logistics
4 Troika System Previous, current, and next presidency ensure continuity
5 Decision-making Consensus-based; declarations are politically binding, not legally
6 Work Streams Finance Track (finance ministers/central bank governors) + Sherpa Track (policy coordination)
7 Engagement Groups B20 (Business), C20 (Civil Society), T20 (Think Tanks), Y20 (Youth), W20 (Women), etc.
8 India's Presidency 2023 — theme: "One Earth, One Family, One Future" (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)

Current Status / Latest Developments

  • 2025 Presidency: South Africa — theme: "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability." The Johannesburg Summit (22-23 November 2025) will be the first G20 Leaders' Summit on African soil.
  • 2025 Troika: Brazil (2024) — South Africa (2025) — United States (2026).
  • 2026 Presidency: United States; summit planned for Miami, 2026.
  • India provided best-practice guidance to South Africa on managing working groups, sherpa processes, and digital coordination during the transition.
  • Key agenda items for 2025-26 include debt restructuring for developing nations, climate finance, and AI governance.

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Founded: 1999 (post-Asian Financial Crisis)
  • Members: 21 (19 countries + EU + African Union)
  • African Union: 21st member, admitted at New Delhi Summit (September 2023)
  • No permanent secretariat — presidency rotates
  • India hosted G20: 2023 (18th Summit, New Delhi)
  • Troika 2025: Brazil-South Africa-USA
  • G20 accounts for: ~85% global GDP, ~75% world trade

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "Evaluate the significance of the African Union's inclusion in the G20 for global governance."
  2. "How did India's G20 presidency (2023) advance the interests of the Global South?"
  3. "Is the G20 an effective forum for addressing climate change and development challenges?"
  4. "Compare the G7 and G20 as mechanisms for global economic governance."

Sources: G20 India Official Site | Wikipedia — G20 | ORF — South Africa's G20 Presidency