Revitalising ECOSOC, advancing the SDGs: Why the G20 matters now
The world cannot afford to miss another chance. The G20 must rise to the challenge and help shape a renewed multilateralism based on equity, solidarity and resilience.
Geopolitical and geo-economic context: Doom, gloom and resource misallocation
Precious human, material and financial resources are once again increasingly being allocated to armaments as several major wars rage across the globe. Instead of working responsibly on plans to establish ‘a system for the regulation of armaments’ for ‘the least diversion for armaments of the world’s human and economic resources’, as required by Article 26 of the UN Charter, the UN Security Council is paralysed by renewed antagonisms among its veto-wielding permanent members. Moreover, trade, technology and finance are weaponised in support of nationalist, populist or ideological agendas. All this while implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is lagging pitifully behind. Can the G20 bring the combined influence of its members to bear on this resource misallocation, steering things in a positive direction, or should it stay away from what may be seen as primarily UN business? We attempt to answer this question.
Ray of hope: The Pact for the Future and its pending implementation
World leaders, through the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, recommitted to, among others, ‘turbocharge the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda’ (Action 12), ‘strengthen the international response to urgent global shocks’ (Action 54) and ‘strengthen the Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] to accelerate sustainable development’ (Action 43). It is thus necessary to examine ways in which the UN ECOSOC could be made to deliver more effectively in its area of responsibility – sustainable development and human security. This body is known for its broad membership (54 states), broad consultations and peer reviews (e,g, voluntary national reviews on SDG implementation in the context of the annual High-level Political Forum that involves all UN member states). Could it become as powerful as its leaner and meaner counterpart in the peace and security area, the UN Security Council, has been at its best of times (certainly not in recent years)? And could the G20 play a role towards that end?
How the G20 can act as a catalyst for ECOSOC revitalisation
Over the years, the G20 has established itself not only as the main global economic cooperation forum, as initially intended, but also as the closest the world has to a guardian council that addresses the whole range of global risks. G20 pronouncements carry the weight of the world’s top state actors, representing about 85% of the world’s collective GDP and two-thirds of its population. At the same time, the G20 lies outside formal global governance structures, which have the UN at the centre. By embedding itself in those structures and taking the lead in implementing the abovementioned actions of the Pact for the Future, the G20 could combine its real-world effectiveness with the legitimacy of the UN.
Acting as a powerful caucus group within ECOSOC and the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the G20 could carry the combined weight of its membership in at least three ways:
In terms of resources, the G20 could spearhead the establishment of an SDG Achievement Fund through an ECOSOC/HLPF decision, thus also responding to the plea for an SDG Stimulus repeatedly made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. G20 members could undertake to mobilise the necessary resources, in trillions of US dollars, through own contributions and private investment leveraging. They could also steer the Bretton Woods Institutions’ resource allocation and even resource generation (special drawing rights created by the International Monetary Fund) in the direction of the new fund.
In terms of institutional arrangements,the G20 could recommend the establishment under ECOSOC of a representative and authoritative Global Resilience Council, like a ‘UN Security Council for non-military threats’, to address interconnected risks and crises affecting human security. These include climate change, pandemics, food and water insecurity and other matters that undermine SDG implementation. The G20 could hold joint sessions and/or could be otherwise linked to the membership and functioning of such a council, which would also bring together UN system agencies and engage non-state actors.
In terms of strategic narratives, the G20 could help shape and amplify political, academic, media and civil society narratives that build momentum for SDG implementation and ECOSOC revitalisation. Narratives play a central role in building public trust, mobilising engagement and sustaining political will. By fostering inclusive, forward-looking and locally informed storytelling across sectors, the G20 could enhance the legitimacy and reach of multilateral efforts, reinforcing the cultural and political conditions necessary for transformative change to take place.
Mandela’s legacy and South Africa’s G20 opportunity?
Would it be reasonable to expect the G20 to take such an initiative? This would certainly serve the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainable development put forward by South Africa for its G20 presidency. Maybe this time around a sense of moral obligation will prevail, in the shadow of Nelson Mandela and in the context of a world spinning out of control. Relying on other middle powers within and outside the G20, and appealing to all G20 governments and their respective peoples, South Africa could succeed where no other country has. The world cannot afford another missed opportunity. The G20 is called to rise to the challenge and help shape a revitalised multilateralism – grounded in equity, solidarity and resilience – before this moment, too, is lost to history.
* The views expressed in T20 blog posts are those of the author/s.
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Commentary
Revitalising ECOSOC, advancing the SDGs: Why the G20 matters now
The world cannot afford to miss another chance. The G20 must rise to the challenge and help shape a renewed multilateralism based on equity, solidarity and resilience.
Geopolitical and geo-economic context: Doom, gloom and resource misallocation
Precious human, material and financial resources are once again increasingly being allocated to armaments as several major wars rage across the globe. Instead of working responsibly on plans to establish ‘a system for the regulation of armaments’ for ‘the least diversion for armaments of the world’s human and economic resources’, as required by Article 26 of the UN Charter, the UN Security Council is paralysed by renewed antagonisms among its veto-wielding permanent members. Moreover, trade, technology and finance are weaponised in support of nationalist, populist or ideological agendas. All this while implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is lagging pitifully behind. Can the G20 bring the combined influence of its members to bear on this resource misallocation, steering things in a positive direction, or should it stay away from what may be seen as primarily UN business? We attempt to answer this question.
Ray of hope: The Pact for the Future and its pending implementation
World leaders, through the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, recommitted to, among others, ‘turbocharge the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda’ (Action 12), ‘strengthen the international response to urgent global shocks’ (Action 54) and ‘strengthen the Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] to accelerate sustainable development’ (Action 43). It is thus necessary to examine ways in which the UN ECOSOC could be made to deliver more effectively in its area of responsibility – sustainable development and human security. This body is known for its broad membership (54 states), broad consultations and peer reviews (e,g, voluntary national reviews on SDG implementation in the context of the annual High-level Political Forum that involves all UN member states). Could it become as powerful as its leaner and meaner counterpart in the peace and security area, the UN Security Council, has been at its best of times (certainly not in recent years)? And could the G20 play a role towards that end?
How the G20 can act as a catalyst for ECOSOC revitalisation
Over the years, the G20 has established itself not only as the main global economic cooperation forum, as initially intended, but also as the closest the world has to a guardian council that addresses the whole range of global risks. G20 pronouncements carry the weight of the world’s top state actors, representing about 85% of the world’s collective GDP and two-thirds of its population. At the same time, the G20 lies outside formal global governance structures, which have the UN at the centre. By embedding itself in those structures and taking the lead in implementing the abovementioned actions of the Pact for the Future, the G20 could combine its real-world effectiveness with the legitimacy of the UN.
Acting as a powerful caucus group within ECOSOC and the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the G20 could carry the combined weight of its membership in at least three ways:
Mandela’s legacy and South Africa’s G20 opportunity?
Would it be reasonable to expect the G20 to take such an initiative? This would certainly serve the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainable development put forward by South Africa for its G20 presidency. Maybe this time around a sense of moral obligation will prevail, in the shadow of Nelson Mandela and in the context of a world spinning out of control. Relying on other middle powers within and outside the G20, and appealing to all G20 governments and their respective peoples, South Africa could succeed where no other country has. The world cannot afford another missed opportunity. The G20 is called to rise to the challenge and help shape a revitalised multilateralism – grounded in equity, solidarity and resilience – before this moment, too, is lost to history.
* The views expressed in T20 blog posts are those of the author/s.
16 Jul 2025
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