Key Takeaways
- The G20@20 report assesses the status of the international group and its effectiveness in achieving desired goals.
- The report reveals a decline in the G20’s overall effectiveness, with 75% of members believing it has decreased.
- Members express dissatisfaction with the number of Sherpa working groups and the engagement groups.
- The report credits the G20 with preventing deeper global downturns during the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The G20 is set to enter its second 20-year cycle, with the United States taking the presidency in 2026.
Introduction to the G20@20 Report
The G20@20 report, recently released by the Presidency, provides a comprehensive assessment of the international group’s status and effectiveness. The report is based on feedback from members, as well as guest and invitees to previous years’ events. The review aims to support members in ensuring that the G20’s second cycle of presidencies is fit-for-purpose and calibrated to deliver effective, coordinated action on shared priorities. The report’s findings indicate that while the G20 has been effective in achieving its desired goals in certain areas, its overall effectiveness has decreased, with 75% of members believing it has become less effective.
Effectiveness of the G20
The report reveals that members overwhelmingly agree that the G20 has been effective in strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation, with 65% of members believing it has been effective. Similarly, 60% of members rate the effectiveness of the leader’s summit as very effective, while a further 10% indicate it is somewhat ineffective. However, when it comes to monitoring and addressing global financial and economic challenges, 50% of members select somewhat effective. Despite positive sentiment on individual themes, the report highlights a decline in the G20’s overall effectiveness, with 75% of members believing it has decreased.
Areas of Improvement
The report identifies areas where the G20 is falling short, including education, where 35% of members say the forum is not effective or somewhat ineffective. Additionally, the number of Sherpa working groups does not receive glowing reviews, with 80% disagreeing that the number of working groups is adequate. The engagement groups, which are industry-specific forums, also receive mixed reactions, with the business and think-tank groups being positively received, while seven engagement groups receive 30% or less support. The report suggests that members feel an increasingly broad agenda and insufficient continuity from year to year are undermining the G20’s effectiveness.
G20 Status and Successes
The report maintains that the G20 is the premier international forum and that it should maintain its informal, leader-led structure. The report credits the G20 with preventing the 2008 global financial crisis and the Covid-19 health panic from becoming deeper global downturns. The G20 has established several financial frameworks, including the Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, and the Agricultural Market Information System, which are widely regarded as having turned G20 commitments into tangible progress. The report states that the G20 is now operating in a global environment characterized by heightened geopolitical tensions.
Future of the G20
The second 20-year cycle of the G20 begins with the United States in 2026, a year that seems increasingly unlikely to feature South Africa in any meaningful way. The themes of the 2026 G20 under the US’ leadership will revolve around innovation, entrepreneurship, and perseverance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that US President Donald Trump had settled on four working groups focused on trimming regulation, improving energy supply chains, and technological advancement. The report suggests that the G20 must adapt to the changing global environment and focus its efforts on areas where it can deliver the greatest impact. Members agree that stronger ties should be established with the United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Fund, and International Labour Organization.
