Y20 South Africa Summit 2025 "Re Kaofela"

Y20 South Africa 2025, under the theme "Youth for Global Progress: Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability," aims to empower young leaders to shape global policies that reflect the priorities of youth. Y20 South Africa will serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action, ensuring that young voices contribute meaningfully to global decision-making. The summit will focus on five key thematic areas that align with South Africa’s G20 Presidency agenda.

The Y20 Summit 2025 will take place between August 18 and 22, 2024 in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. Youth20 aims to bring the five themes for debate across South Africa, with in-person and virtual plenary sessions, to ensure a process with strong participation from South African youth and young immigrants living in South Africa.

The Y20 Summit will be attended by 145 delegates from G20 member countries, gathered in Ekurhuleni in August 2025, along with other young people and special guests, authorities, youth policy makers, youth organizations, international organizations and other supporters of the Engagement Group process and its priority issues. At the event, the delegations were able to negotiate and synthesize their perspectives on the 5 thematic working groups and, in this way, outline the perspective of Youth for this important economic, social and political forum.

Schedule

10.00

Opening Ceremony

Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre.

  • National Anthem. 
  • Cultural Performance by Gugulethu United We Stand Cultural Group by East Rand School of Arts. 

10.15

Opening and Welcome

Raymond Matlala

Raymond Matlala, Chair, Y20 South Africa 2025.

Welcome address

Hon. Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of Gauteng.

11.00

Messages of Support

  • Khulekani Mathe, B20 South Africa Secretariat. 
  • Shingi Bimha, Head of Partnerships and Programmes, Anglo American Foundation 
  • United Nations Resident Coordinator -South Africa 
  • Dr Sunshine Myende, Executive Chair, NYDA Board
  • Tryphosa Ramano, Eskom Board Member
  • Candice Moodley, Corporate Services Executive, EWSETA
  • Ingrid Monteiro Siss Braga, Y20 Brazil Head of Delegation
  • Benjamin Lutz, Y20 USA Head of Delegation
  • Ald Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Executive Mayor, City of Ekurhuleni
  • H.E Dr Phumzile, Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former Deputy President of South Africa and G20 Social Summit Convener.

12.15

Keynote Address

Keynote Address

Hon Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the presidency for Women Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

13.00 - 14.30

Networking Lunch

  • Family Photo. 
  • Networking. 

14.30 - 15.00
Levi Singh - Sherpa

Plenary Sessions

Levi Singh

Remarks by Y20 South Africa Sherpa and Progress.

15.00 - 16.30

Plenary Sessions

UN Technical Briefings. Thematic Track Overviews (Track Co- Chairs).

9.00 - 9.20

Morning Briefing & Housekeeping

Outline the day and how it will unfold, noting parallel processes occurring.

9.20 - 10.00

Ministerial Address

Hon Stella Ndabeni, Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa.

10.30 - 13.00

Track Negotiation Sessions [Closed Session]

  • Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability. 
  • Inclusive Economic Growth and Employment. 
  • AI, Digital Innovation, and the Future of Work. 
  • Meaningful Youth Engagement and Reforming Multilateralism. 
  • Inclusive Social Development and Fighting Inequality. 

10.00 - 11.30

Panel Discussion

OXFAM South Africa - #TaxTheSuperRich: Africa’s Call for Justice, Equity, and Global Accountability.

11.30 - 12.00

Tea Break

Networking.

12.00 - 13.30

Panel Discussion

YD Collab - Rewriting the Rules: Youth Ecosystems Powering Inclusive Economic Growth.

Moderator: Thamsanqa Masingi, Community Manager at YD Collab.

  • Farai Ntuli, Africa Livelihoods and Education Lead at Accenture Development Partners. 
  • Botshelo "KayKay" Baloyi, Founder of UmkhoAI. 
  • Senzo Mbonambi, COO Lead Change Development and disability rights activist.
  • Thulile Khanyile, Co-Founder at Nka'thuto Edupropeller and Gates Foundation Goalkeeper.
  • Aisha Jackson, Country Manager: South Africa at ALX Africa.

13.30 - 15.00

Lunch

Lunch break

15.00 - 17.00

Track Negotiations Continue

All 5 tracks

15.00 - 16.45

Panel Discussion

SAIIA - Shaping Tomorrow: Transformative Youth Futures. 

  • Francois Pretorius, Institute of Futures Research at Stellenbosch Business School.
  • Karabo Mangena, 2024 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholar at SAIIA. 
  • Tshegofatso Thulare, Education Development Specialist. 

9.00

Morning Briefing

Outline the day and how it will unfold, noting parallel processes occurring.

9.30 - 13.00
Levi Singh - Sherpa

Track Drafting & Alignment

Levi Singh

Led by Sherpa

9.00 - 10.15

Panel Discussion

Youth as Catalysts for Sustainable Development: Skills, Innovation, and Inclusion” Powered by Foodbev. 

Moderator: Dumisile Le Roux

  • Ms Nokuthula Selamolela, CEO, Foodbev
  • Mr Bonga Makhanya, Executive Deputy Chairperson, NYDA
  • Dr Wiseman Mbatha, NYDA Board Member
  • Mr Ndumiso Kubheka, CEO, NYDA
  • Ms Juanita Pardesi, CEO, Seriti Institute
  • Mr Risuna Maluleke, CEO, AEDC. 

10.15 - 10.45

Tea Break

10.45 - 12.00

Plenary Session

LCOY SA 2025 - Just Transition: Urban Pathways to Climate Justice. 

Moderator: Nontuthuzelo Nikiwe, LCOY SA 2025
  • Londiwe Buthelezi, LCOY SA 2025
  • Lindani Zungu, Voices of Mzansi
  • Nkelektseng Tsetsane, Young Urban Women Movement
  • Thandile Chinyavanhu, Y20 Track 1 Working Group
  • Nolo Mokoena, Centre Development 
  • Mbali Baduza, Presidential Climate Commissioner.

12.00 - 13.30

Town Hall / Open Mic Session

Live Podcast Session: Topic – Youth Engagement. 

Presenters: Lerai & Another.

13.00 - 14.30

Lunch

Networking

14.30 - 17.00

Thematic Cross-Collaboration

Shared Language across Themes.

14.30 - 15.45

Panel Discussion

Brave Movement - Beyond the Screen: AI, Online Safety, and Skills for a Safer Digital Future.

  • Sheila Makhado, Brave Movement
  • Joshua Ongwae, Senior Advocacy Manager, Africa and Liaison to the African Union at ChildFund International.
  • Dumisile Nala, Childline Executive Director, South Africa
  • Vatiswa Gilivane, Recruitment & Community Specialist, ALX
  • Mr Dheepak Misser Maharajh, CEO,UVU BIO.

15.45 - 17.00

Panel Discussion

Pathways that Work: Youth Solutions for Inclusive Economic Development & Employment – Powered by NYDA

Moderator: Dumisile Le Roux

  • Kelly Baloyi, NYDA Board Member
  • Ms Edna Montse, African Bank,
  • Montse, Group Executive Transform and Sustainability Group Chief. 
  • Sanele Zulu, Rural2Rural Initiative, CEO
  • Christopher Seagateng, Chairperson, Botswana Jobs for Graduates,
  • Unathi Nyoni, Deputy Chairperson, NYC Zimbabwe. 

9.30 - 16.00

Excursion

Constitutional Hill, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and OR Tambo Narrative Center

10.00 - 10.30

Opening of Day 5

Outline the day and how it will unfold, noting parallel processes occurring.

10.30 - 12.30

Finalization & Adoption of Y20 Declaration

Read-through & edits. Consensus building. 

10.30 - 12.00

Town Hall / Open Mic Session

Reflections on the Summit and on embedding actions from the Y20

12.00 - 13.00

Plenary Session

Discussion on Consensus Building Approaches and experience of negotiations.  Members from different delegations. 

13.00 - 14.00

Networking Lunch

14.00 - 14.30

Closing Ceremony

Moeketsi Koahela

Musical number / choir

Reflections of the Summit and Plans for Beyond Y20 2025 (G20 Social Summit, UNGA, UN80 etc).

  • Co-Chair of Y20 South Africa. 
  • Sherpa of Y20 South Africa. 

14.30 - 15.00

Closing Ceremony - Messages of Support from G20

Commitments to take Y20 recommendations forward 

  • Dr Sunshine Myende, Executive Chair, NYDA Board
  • Dr Candice Hartley – Eskom Chief People Officer.

15.00 - 15.30

Closing Ceremony - Keynote

Hon. Mapaseka Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister of WYPD.

15.30 - 16.00

Closing Ceremony - Handover to Y20 2026 Host

  • Confirmation of any further Y20 South Africa 2025 engagements.
  • Final Group Photo.

Theme Tracks

About South Africa

South Africa, located at the southern tip of the African continent, is a vibrant and diverse country known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and dynamic cities. The climate varies from Mediterranean in the southwest to subtropical in the northeast, with plenty of sunshine year-round. With 11 official languages—including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English—South Africa is a linguistic mosaic reflecting its multicultural population. Transport options range from domestic flights and long-distance buses to minibus taxis and car rentals, though infrastructure quality can vary by region. Travelers are advised to stay alert, avoid isolated areas after dark, and keep valuables secure, as safety can be a concern in certain urban zones.

Our Delegates

Our Speakers

Panyaza Andrek Lesufi

7th Premier of the Gauteng Province

Nkosindiphile Xhakaza

Executive Mayor of The City of Ekurhuleni

Our Partners

The South African Y20 Summit will present the communique on youth priorities, providing G20 leaders with direct insights into the aspirations, concerns, and recommendations of the continent’s youth.

Convener

Secretariat

FAQ

What does the G20 stand for?

G20 stands for “Group of Twenty”. The G20 brings together the countries with the largest economies in the world. The member states meet annually to discuss economic, political and social initiatives. The group defines itself as the main forum for international economic cooperation (agreement reached by the leaders at the Pittsburgh Summit in September 2009).

The G20 Summit is a meeting between the Heads of State or Government of member countries. The term “Summit” comes from its English definition and refers to the highest point of a mountain. The Summit is therefore the culmination of more than hundred G20 meetings over the course of a year.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit was established in response to the global financial crisis that occurred in the wake of the collapse of the Lehman Brothers bank. The existing G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was upgraded to the Heads of State level, and the inaugural G20 Summit was held in Washington DC in November 2008. From thereon, Summit meetings were held semi-annually until 2010 and annually from 2011 onwards.

Preparations for the G20 Summits revolve around “sherpas,” who are official representatives of leaders of participating members. The term “sherpa” has its roots in mountain climbing, and it refers to an assistant who guides climbers to the summit of a mountain. G20 sherpas, through their close communication, proceed with the preparations for a successful summit meeting.

The G20 has annually rotating presidencies. Brazil handed over the G20 Presidency to South Africa on 1 December 2024. South Africa will in turn hand over the Presidency to the United States in December 2025.

The G20 is made up of 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Türkiye, UK and USA) and two regional bodies: the African Union and the European Union. The members of the G20 represent around 85% of the world’s GDP, more than 75% of world trade and around two-thirds of the world’s population. In addition, invited guest countries and international organisations participate in the G20.

The G20 Engagement groups are the civil society participation in discussions and policy formulation related to the G20. This includes the activities of 13 engagement groups, coordinated between the political and financial tracks and non-governmental actors, allowing participants to contribute to the group’s policy formulation process. The engagement groups are:

  • SAI20 (Supreme Audit Institutions)
  • Y20 (Youth)
  • U20 (Urban)
  • S20 (Science)
  • O20 (Ocean)
  • P20 (Parliament)
  • Startup20
  • W20 (Women)
  • L20 (Labour)
  • B20 (Business)
  • T20 (Think Tanks)
  • C20 (Civil Society)
  • J20 (Supreme Courts)

In this track, finance ministers and central bank leaders deal with seven technical groups:

  • Infrastructure
  • Sustainable Finance
  • Global Economy 
  • Financial Inclusion
  • Global Economy
  • International Financial Architecture
  • Finance/Health Task Force

The Sherpas Track consists of 15 working groups. The working groups are:

  • Anti-corruption
  • Women Empowerment
  • Development
  • Trade and Investment
  • Environment and Climate Sustainability
  • Digital Economy
  • Education
  • Research and Innovation
  • Agriculture
  • Energy Transition
  • Employment
  • Health
  • Disaster Risk Management
  • Tourism
  • Culture

The G20 operates differently from traditional international organisations, with two main approaches: the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track. The Finance Track is led by the finance ministers and central bank presidents of the countries in the group, who meet at least four times a year (two of them in parallel to the general meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund). The sherpas, who lead the other track, are the personal representatives of the G20 leaders, responsible for overseeing the negotiations, discussing the items that make up the summit’s agenda and coordinating most of the work.

The G20 troika system was officially adopted at the Cannes Summit (France) in 2011 as the framework for steering the G20 process. The “troika” consists of the current, previous, and next G20 presidencies and the three members cooperate with one another in preparing for the G20 Summit. During South Africa’s presidency, we will work closely together with Brazil (2024 presidency) and the US (2026 presidency).

While the G7 is made up of rich countries, the G20 manages to get leaders from both developed and emerging economies around the table, representing a far broader range of views. It has been credited with reaching important agreements such as the trillion-dollar pledge in 2009 to help struggling economies during the global financial crisis.

South Africa plans to host around 130 meetings of the working groups and task forces that make up the G20, both face-to-face and virtual, at technical and ministerial level across all provinces of the country.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for November 2025 in Johannesburg.

Priorities that South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 intend to address are guided by the overarching theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.

Solidarity – signifies a unified effort and mutual support among member nations. It is the recognition that in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one nation can have ripple effects globally.

Equality – refers to ensuring fair treatment, opportunities, and advancement for all individuals and nations, irrespective of their economic status, gender, race, geographic location, or other characteristics.

Sustainability – is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection, ensuring long-term health and stability of all people and our planet. As major global actors, G20 nations play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development agenda.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency will drive the following high-level deliverables, and priorities, which will find expression in the work of the Sherpa and Finance Tracks

  • Priority 1 – Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Inequality
  • Priority 2 – Food Security
  • Priority 3 – Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for Sustainable Development.