Hosted by the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD), the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), the T20 Midterm Conference in Pretoria was a pivotal event in the lead-up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The first half of Day 1 was dedicated to working group sessions, aimed at refining and finalising policy recommendations. A highlight was the invaluable implementation workshop led by Enrique Mendizabal, Executive Director of On Think Tanks.
The public program commenced in the afternoon, with opening remarks from the Vice Chancellor of UNISA Prof. Puleng LenkaBula and the Mayor of Tshwane, Cllr Nasiphi Moya.
Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s G20 Sous Sherpa, provided insightful reflections on the G20’s priorities and the vital role of engagement groups like the T20.
The essence of global governance extends beyond immediate concerns; it’s about laying foundations for the future, as highlighted by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos. This critical long-term perspective was the focus as G20 Working Group Leads outlined their teams’ priorities and key considerations for the T20 and G20 processes.
Equality is one of the core themes of South Africa’s G20 presidency. In this dynamic session moderated by Jhanvi Tripathi, experts reflected on the structural barriers to a more equitable and representative global economic governance system, particularly for developing and emerging economies. They evaluated the G20’s current and potential influence in addressing them.
The discussion considered the voices and needs of the Global South, calling for greater representation, solidarity and accountability within global economic governance.
The global trading system is grappling with rising protectionism and trade tensions. Our Trade and Investment panel, moderated by Axel Berger, explored the far-reaching implications for regional trade and cooperation, highlighting multilateral solutions alongside initiatives like the AfCFTA, the Association of South-East Nations (ASEAN) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The panel also discussed the ripple effects of development-oriented investment and global value chain restructuring, raising critical questions about inclusive and sustainable economic integration.
The increasing concentration of digital technologies among a few powerful actors is exacerbating socio-economic disparities, both domestically and globally. This undermines the digital economy’s potential to drive sustainable development and widen its benefits.
In a panel moderated by Alison Gillwald, experts explored how the G20 can foster equitable and meaningful digital inclusion within this concentrated digital landscape. The discussion highlighted strategies to ensure digitalisation serves sustainable development rather than deepening inequalities, building on the work of Brazil’s Digital Economy Working Group and its emphasis on “meaningful connectivity,” which encompasses quality of service, digital skills and affordable access.
Ensuring a truly just energy transition means leaving no one behind, a goal that demands careful consideration of unique national circumstances. Disparities in access to resources and opportunities are reflected at global, national and local scales, and these could be further exacerbated without concrete efforts to ensure just energy transitions. Simultaneously, these transitions occur in the context of rapidly shifting social, technological, economic and biological systems.
This panel moderated by Céline Kauffmann delved into the recommendations emerging from the T20 Task Force on Accelerating Climate and the Just Energy Transition, drawing on diverse sectoral and institutional perspectives.
The T20 South Africa Secretariat gratefully acknowledges the invaluable partnership and support of the following organisations:
