// IRENE WU Irene Wu is co-chair of the executive of summit stud- ies for the G20 Research Group for South Africa’s 2025 G20 pres- idency. She is in her fourth year of undergrad- uate studies at the University of Toronto, pursu- ing a specialist in peace, con-
“Diverging priorities, rising isolationism and eroding trust in multilateralism have impeded progress, leaving institutions underfunded and reforms stalled”
already the highest with 88% compli- ance. It is followed by the commitment on inclusive and equitable health sys- tems at 83%. The 81% compliance with the commitments on disaster risk reduction and biodiversity will likely improve too, especially as the bio diversity commitment is supported by strong implementation of the Kun- ming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The commitment on fiscal policy, with 79%, has also shown steady progress, reflecting a balance between fiscal responsibility and sus- tainable long-term growth. Medium prospects are likely for the commitment on digital platform trans- parency, with 55% interim compliance. It needs stronger stakeholder engage- ment and enforcement mechanisms to improve. With an interim score of 63%, the commitment on financial support for low- and middle-income countries would also benefit from bol- stered World Bank capacity through increased funding and expanded part- nerships with other international development institutions. The commit- ment on reducing greenhouse gases will likely maintain its average com- pliance of 64%, hindered by a lack of substantial action to address non- carbon related emissions. Areas needing improvement include commitments with major gaps in implementation. The commitment on integration of the African Union, with 50% interim compliance, rep- resents an important opportunity to demonstrate support for the trade and economic integration under the Afri- can Union’s Agenda 2063. Also holding at 50% compliance, the commitment on reforming global governance insti- tutions is shaped by a gap between the leaders’ pledge to a “reinvigor- ated multilateral system” and the realities of declining trust in multi- lateralism. Diverging priorities, rising isolationism and eroding trust in mul-
tilateralism have impeded progress, leaving institutions underfunded and reforms stalled. Similarly, the com- mitment on humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Lebanon faces obstacles, with the second lowest interim compli- ance score of 48%. G20 members have pledged to advance civilian protection and humanitarian aid, but progress has been hindered by a lack of con- crete action and challenges in passing binding United Nations Security Coun- cil resolutions. The commitment on gender equality and labour markets, at 57%, requires measurable and specific actions to deliver on the G20 Roadmap Towards and Beyond the Brisbane Goal. Finally, the weakest perfor- mance is evident in the commitment on fertiliser shortages, with only 36%. Limited engagement in local fertiliser production, trade expansion, fertiliser efficiency and the adoption of biofertil- isers has limited progress. LOOKING AHEAD At the Johannesburg Summit, the G20 must move from reaffirming commitments towards concrete imple- mentation. Since its inception, the G20 has provided a platform for coopera- tion between developed and emerging economies, adapting to crises while sustaining global stability and growth. South Africa’s presidency has empha- sised practical solutions and reducing inequalities across the macro economic, development, environment and health sectors, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. To remain credible, the G20 must show that it can not only pledge solidar- ity, equality and sustainability, but can also deliver real outcomes. The true test at Johannesburg is whether members can close the gap between consensus building and implementa- tion, while restoring confidence in the G20 as a forum for driving meaningful progress.
flict and justice studies. She has worked with the G20 and G7 Research Groups since 2023 as a compliance analyst, lead analyst and compliance director. She was a member of the field team at the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit. Her research focuses on institutional reform, transitional justice and public policy to strengthen resilience in fragile and post-conflict soci- eties, with an emphasis on health equity, biosecurity and humanitarian ethics.
// MAHEK KAUR Mahek Kaur is co-chair of the executive of
summit stud- ies for the G20 Research Group for South Afri- ca’s 2025 G20 presidency. A graduate of the University of Toronto, they are pursuing their JD at the Univer- sity of Ottawa’s Common Law
Program. They have worked with the G20 and G7 Research Groups since 2022 as a compliance analyst, lead analyst and com- pliance director. They served as an editor for the G7 Research Group’s 2024 Apulia Summit compliance studies and G20 Research Group’s 2023 New Delhi Summit compliance studies. Their research inter- ests include domestic and international health policy, global environmental govern- ance, and food and agriculture.
X-TWITTER @g20rg www.g20.utoronto.ca
145 globalgovernanceproject.org
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting