Registration Opens for G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni, November 2025

Convened under the G20 Presidency’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”, the Social Summit will bring together a broad spectrum of formal and informal networks.

Registration is now open for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, and community-based movements to participate in the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) Social Summit, which will be held from 18 to 20 November 2025 in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.

The event, a key feature of South Africa's G20 Presidency, aims to provide an inclusive and participatory space for civil society, grassroots organisations, and social movements to engage on issues of inequality, development, and global justice — ensuring that the voices of communities are heard alongside those of world leaders.

---

A People-Centered G20 Platform

Convened under the G20 Presidency's theme of "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability", the Social Summit will bring together a broad spectrum of formal and informal networks. Participants will include youth groups, women's organisations, persons with disabilities, labour unions, faith-based institutions, social entrepreneurs, community leaders, and other grassroots stakeholders.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the Summit seeks to "amplify the voices of ordinary people" and ensure that global policy commitments reflect the lived realities of communities.

"Government calls on informal groups and community movements across South Africa, the African continent, and globally to register and take part in this historic people's summit," DIRCO said. "It is vital that global commitments are grounded in the lived experiences of communities."

---

Advancing Inclusive Global Governance

The G20 Social Summit builds on the precedent set by Brazil's 2024 Presidency, which institutionalised formal civil society input into the G20 process for the first time. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership, South Africa has pledged not only to continue this initiative but also to expand it into a broader platform for social dialogue and action.

The Summit will run in parallel with ministerial and leaders' meetings, providing policy recommendations and a People's Declaration that will feed directly into the official G20 Leaders' Declaration.

The objective, organisers say, is to balance economic and social priorities, elevating issues such as:

• Poverty eradication and inequality reduction

• Gender equality and youth empowerment

• Decent work and fair wages

• Access to education and healthcare

• Environmental justice and climate resilience

• Inclusion of persons with disabilities and marginalised groups

---

Grounding Global Commitments in Local Realities

At its core, the G20 Social Summit will serve as a bridge between local experiences and global policymaking. It will allow communities to contribute directly to discussions on how global economic systems can be more equitable and sustainable, and how the benefits of globalization can reach those who have historically been excluded.

"The Social Summit is not simply a side event—it is a core pillar of South Africa's vision for a people-centred G20," a government spokesperson said. "Our Presidency will ensure that global growth strategies and social justice go hand in hand."

Interactive dialogues, thematic workshops, and plenary discussions will be held over three days, featuring representatives from civil society networks, academia, youth movements, and international partners. Outcomes will be compiled into a Leaders' Declaration that reflects the shared aspirations of citizens across continents.

---

Ekurhuleni: Hosting the Voices of the People

Hosting the Summit in Ekurhuleni—one of South Africa's most diverse and industrially significant cities—symbolises the intersection of innovation, community resilience, and social transformation. The city's location within Gauteng province, the country's economic hub, highlights the importance of linking grassroots perspectives with national and global policy frameworks.

Participants will also take part in community outreach and cultural exchange programmes, designed to showcase local initiatives driving social change and sustainability in urban and rural settings.

---

Registration Details and Participation

Registration is open until 24 October 2025 for all NGOs, community-based organisations, and grassroots movements interested in attending the Summit. Participation is open to both South African and international civil society groups.

Interested participants can register online via the official G20 South Africa website at https://forms.office.com/r/tjdH1jBhxp.

All registered organisations will receive information regarding logistics, accreditation, and participation formats, including opportunities for in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagement.

---

A Platform for Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability

The Social Summit will form a cornerstone of South Africa's G20 Presidency, reflecting the nation's broader goal of reshaping global governance to be more inclusive, transparent, and socially responsive.

The event seeks to reaffirm that economic growth must go hand in hand with social progress and environmental stewardship, ensuring that no community is left behind in the global development agenda.

By championing the voices of civil society, the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni will help craft a new global social compact — one grounded in solidarity, equity, and shared prosperity for all.