EQUALITY: DEVELOPMENT AND DEBT RELIEF //
G20 PERFORMANCE ON DEVELOPMENT 2008–2024
100
75
50
25
0
Compliance (%)
Conclusions (% words)
Commitments (%)
summits with the highest compliance (85% average) made 9% of the total development commitments. In contrast, the nine summits with the lowest compliance (61%) contributed 12% of the total commitments. Thus, the Johannesburg Summit should make fewer commitments on development. To help secure higher compliance with development commitments, G20 leaders should focus on the SDGs as those commitments averaged 82% compliance versus 66% for those that did not. However, development commitments that referenced Africa averaged only 49% compliance, compared to 69% for those that did not. At Johannesburg – the first summit hosted by an African country – the declaration will likely refer often to Africa. CONCLUSION In July 2025, G20 development ministers reaffirmed their collective commitment to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and agreed to intensify efforts to achieve the SDGs, given that
18% are on track and 17% are making moderate progress. Although South Africa has historically recorded lower levels of compliance with development commitments, its G20 presidency offers the opportunity to shape the agenda and action. Commitments are thus likely to be more closely aligned with its national priorities, as South Africa underscores its commitment to sustainable development and advances a paradigm shift towards implementing practical solutions. Prospects are thus good for South Africa and its G20 colleagues to achieve higher compliance with their Johannesburg commitments.
// SONJA DOBSON Sonja Dobson holds a PhD in peace and conflict studies at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago. She holds a master’s degree in conflict studies and human rights from Utrecht University and a bachelor of arts and science in African studies and political science from the University of Toronto. Sonja has worked with the G20, G7 and BRICS Research Groups since 2015, and served as co-chair of summit studies for the G20 Research Group in 2022.
X-TWITTER @SAT_Dobson www.g20.utoronto.ca
59 globalgovernanceproject.org
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