11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit

Forging A Historic United Front on Climate, Debt and Energy

By Shumirai Chimombe

The scenic small coastal town of Kleinmond outside Cape Town was the destination for the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20), when Speakers from across the globe convened at the Arabella Hotel from 1 - 3 October. The event was co-hosted by the Parliament for the Republic of South Africa and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the global organisation of national parliaments.

The P20 is one of the 13 Engagement Groups of the G20 that bring together civil society, parliamentarians, think tanks, women, youth, labour, businesses, and researchers from the G20 countries. In recognition of the strategic and meaningful roles of parliaments, the Parliamentary Group (P20) was set up at the 2018 Summit in Buenos Aires as a platform for Speakers of Parliament.

A significant outcome of the P20 Summit was the adoption and signing of a historic joint statement by the leaders of the world’s most powerful legislatures committing to urgent action on climate change, debt relief for developing nations and a just global energy transition. The joint statement will be formally communicated to the G20 Heads of State at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit.

A Parliamentary Blueprint For Global Action On Some of The World’s Most Pressing Challenges

The agreements reached in the 58-point joint statement are designed to be translated into national law, budgets, and oversight mechanisms to ensure their implementation.

The P20 South Africa pledged:

1. Unwavering Commitment To Climate Action and Disaster Resilience

Legislators pledged to intensify efforts by engaging in global cooperation, participating in climate activities, and promoting the submission of more ambitious nationally determined contributions. It emphasised the need for accelerated action to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Crucially, the declaration called for the faithful, balanced and comprehensive implementation” of existing climate agreements. It also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations and stressed the importance of gender-responsive disaster risk reduction strategies.

2. Overhauling Global Finance and Tackling The Debt Crisis

Legislators sounded the alarm on the global debt crisis, recognising that unsustainable debt remains one of the most pressing structural challenges facing economies across all regions.

The statement called on the G20 to address debt vulnerabilities effectively, comprehensively and systematically and highlighted the urgent need for multilateral development bank reforms. To ensure accountability, parliaments committed to strengthening oversight of public debt through “enhanced transparency and accountability mechanisms and regular debt sustainability assessments”. They further underscored the need for enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries in international financial institutions.

3. Driving A Just and Equitable Energy Transition

Acknowledging that Africa is at the centre of the global energy transition agenda, the P20 dedicated significant attention to ensuring this shift is fair. The statement noted that despite vast renewable potential, Africa receives a disproportionately low share of energy investment. It called on G20 members to work in partnership with Africa for the mobilisation of Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, with a focus on rural and marginalised communities. The declaration encouraged investment in regional power pools, local supply chains and clean manufacturing.

The statement resolved that “investing in transitional fuels may facilitate energy transitions, while ensuring energy security”, a crucial point for many developing nations. It also mandated a focus on including women and youth, who are disproportionately affected by energy poverty.

4. Harnessing Critical Minerals for Sustainable Development

Recognising that developing countries hold significant reserves of minerals essential for the energy transition, the summit advocated for these nations to reap more significant benefits.

The statement supported the development of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework to promote sustainable and reliable value chains. It further advocated for policies that support expanded local processing, job creation and industrial development in resource-rich countries, namechecking initiatives like the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative and Africa's Green Minerals Strategy.

5. Reinforcing Sustainable Development and Human Rights

The joint statement reaffirmed strong support for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Pact for the Future. It pledged to align legislation with international human rights commitments and promote gender-sensitive budgeting and the equitable representation of women, youth and people in vulnerable situations. The legislators also reaffirmed their commitment from previous summits to promote and harness artificial intelligence responsibly for the public good, while bridging digital divides.

A Time For Commitment and Action

In her closing remarks, Ms Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the South African National Assembly said that the adoption of the Joint Declaration is an important step symbolising a shared commitment to tackle the contemporary world challenges.

“It is not just a ceremonial document but a blueprint for action and a clarion call for Parliamentarians to use their legislative instruments to change the world for better.

It reflects the consensus of diverse voices and the convergence of national interests around common global goals. More importantly, the Declaration is not an end but the beginning of action-oriented Parliaments. Its true value lies in how it is carried forward, and that responsibility rests squarely with parliaments.”

She went on to say that parliaments are not passive observers of global change. They are active agents of transformation. Through legislation, oversight, budgetary control, and public participation, they possess the tools to turn commitments into actions.

Reflecting on the summit, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations at the Parliament of South Africa said: “The most important thing is that it’s not only the discussions, it’s how as parliaments we have agreed that post the G20, we’re going to set mechanisms in place to provide oversight on all the agreements that have been arrived at here. In addition, we will ensure that our people in various countries are briefed on a regular basis on the progress we are making in assessing the implementation of the G20 outcomes here as part of our oversight on the executive arm of the states.”

Countdown to the G20 Leaders Summit Preparations are well underway to welcome over 60 Heads of State and Government, along with leaders of international organisations for the culmination of South Africa’s G20 Presidency - the G20 Leaders Summit from 22 to 23 November.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently made his way to the Leaders’ Summit venue at the Johannesburg Expo Centre for a guided tour and state-of-readiness briefing. The President was accompanied by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.

October Events Calendar

• 7-8: Fifth Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting

• 7-9: Fourth Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting

• 7-9: Fourth Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting

• 10-11: Trade and Investment Working Group Ministerial Meeting (Golf Day on 11 October 2025)

• 10: Energy Transitions Working Group Ministerial Meeting

• 10-11: Fourth Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting

• 13-15: Third Climate and Environment Sustainability Working Group Meeting

• 15-16: Fourth Finance and Central Bank Ministerial Meeting

• 16-17: Climate and Environmental Sustainability Working Group Ministerial Meeting

• 20-21: Fourth Finance and Central Bank Ministerial Meeting

• 22: Education Working Group Ministerial Meeting

• 27-29: Fourth Empowerment of Women Working Group Meeting

• 27-29: Third Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting

• 27-28: Fourth Culture Working Group Meeting

• 29: Culture Working Group Ministerial Meeting

• 30-31: Empowerment of Women Working Group Ministerial Meeting

• 30: Anti-Corruption Working Group Ministerial Meeting

Stay updated on G20 South Africa activities, events, videos during the year:

• Website: https://g20.org/

• Social Media: G20 South Africa on Facebook, Instagram, X, Tik Tok, Linkedin, YouTube and Flickr

Sources: P20 South Africa | G20 South Africa