G20 Social Summit – Welcoming & Opening Ceremony | South Africa 2025

The G20 Social Summit convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the first such event on African soil under South Africa's presidency, gathering civil society, dignitaries, engagement groups, and leaders from the AU and UN. Speakers including Deputy President Paul Mashatile, AUDA-NEPAD CEO Nardos Bekele-Thomas, and UN Assistant Secretary-General Aïcha El Basri emphasized Africa's vast resources and youth potential amid global inequities, climate challenges, and the need for inclusive policies on social protection, jobs, and digital inclusion. They called for reimagining global governance through solidarity, equality, and sustainability, amplifying civil society's voice via Agenda 2063 and SDGs. The summit aims to produce a declaration shaping outcomes for the G20 leaders' summit and fostering people-centered development.