On July 17, 2025, South Africa, as the current chair of the G20, issued a stark warning about the potential derailment of the United Nations’ 2030 development goals. These goals, which were unanimously adopted by all UN member states in 2015, aim ambitiously to end hunger, eradicate extreme poverty, and combat climate change by setting 17 key targets spanning education, climate action, gender equality, and more. Yet, despite the global consensus, progress has been uneven and now faces significant threats amid growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, addressed G20 finance chiefs and central bank governors in Durban, emphasizing the precarious state of the world economy. "While inflation is gradually moderating and financial conditions have started to stabilise in some regions, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on global growth prospects," Godongwana said. He highlighted several critical challenges: rising trade barriers, persistent global imbalances, and new geopolitical risks. These, combined with climate-related shocks, threaten to push the 2030 development targets "further out of reach." The warning comes at a time when the rules-based global order is increasingly under strain, and cooperation among nations is waning.
The G20, a powerful bloc comprising 19 countries and two regional organizations, accounts for more than 80% of the world's economic output. Coordinating this diverse and often fractious group is no small feat, especially as it includes major global players such as the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and the African Union. South Africa’s chairmanship, which lasts until November 2025, involves navigating these complex relationships to foster cooperation and collective action.
However, the group’s efforts have been complicated by significant policy shifts from its wealthiest member, the United States. Since the return of former President Donald Trump, the US has upended global trade rules, imposing tariffs on countries it labels "anti-American" and announcing cuts to foreign aid. These aid reductions have particularly impacted development projects in Africa, undermining efforts to meet the 2030 goals. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, notably did not attend the two-day G20 meeting in Durban, with Washington instead represented by an undersecretary for international affairs. This absence is part of a pattern, as Bessent also missed a similar meeting in February 2025, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to attend a meeting of G20 foreign ministers.
Amid these challenges, Godongwana stressed the critical role the G20 must play in revitalizing and strengthening multilateralism. "We have a critical role to play in revitalising and strengthening multilateralism by fostering inclusive dialogue, reinforcing rules-based cooperation, and driving collective action on global challenges that no country can solve alone," he said. His remarks underscore the importance of the G20 as a platform for dialogue and coordination in a world facing unprecedented global challenges.
Germany, another key member of the G20, echoed this sentiment. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told journalists that his government is committed to the multilateral world order, even as international upheavals and uncertainties persist. "We as the federal government, are using all possibilities... to also discuss how, especially in these times of international upheavals and uncertainty, we can strengthen our partnerships within the multilateral world order," Klingbeil said. His comments highlight the ongoing efforts by some G20 members to uphold the principles of cooperation and collective problem-solving, despite the bloc's resolutions being non-binding in nature.
The warning from South Africa’s G20 chairmanship comes at a critical juncture. The 2030 development agenda is one of the most ambitious global frameworks ever adopted, aiming to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing problems. Yet, the combination of geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, economic imbalances, and climate emergencies threatens to unravel years of progress. The United States’ recent policy shifts have added another layer of complexity, with its reduced engagement and aid cuts raising concerns about the future of international cooperation.
South Africa’s leadership in the G20 highlights the growing importance of emerging economies in shaping global governance. By chairing the group, Pretoria is tasked with bridging divides between developed and developing nations, fostering dialogue among competing interests, and pushing for collective action on issues like climate change and poverty eradication. The challenge is immense, especially as the world grapples with instability and competing national priorities.
In the face of these obstacles, the G20’s role as a forum for dialogue and coordination remains vital. The group’s members collectively wield vast economic power and influence, which can be harnessed to tackle global challenges that no single country can solve alone. However, the effectiveness of the G20 depends heavily on the willingness of its members to commit to cooperation and uphold the rules-based international order.
As the 2030 deadline approaches, the stakes could not be higher. The world risks falling short on critical goals that would improve the lives of billions and protect the planet for future generations. South Africa’s warning serves as a clarion call to the international community: without renewed commitment to multilateralism and cooperation, the vision of a more equitable, sustainable world may remain out of reach.
Ultimately, the G20’s success in navigating these turbulent times will depend on its ability to overcome divisions and reaffirm shared commitments. The coming months, under South Africa’s stewardship, will be crucial in determining whether the group can rise to this challenge or whether the cracks in the global order will widen further, imperiling the 2030 agenda and beyond.