Registrations Open for G20 Social Summit in South Africa, November 2025

Registrations are officially open for the upcoming Group of 20 (G20) Social Summit, set to take place from 18 to 20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. This high-profile gathering will unfold under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and seeks to place ordinary citizens and grassroots organisations at the heart of global policy conversations.

A People’s Platform for Global Voices

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has underscored that the Social Summit will reflect the official G20 Presidency theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The event is designed to amplify the voices of civil society networks, grassroots movements, and community-based organisations.

Unlike traditional engagement structures, which often centre on established policy groups, this summit invites youth-led initiatives, women’s organisations, persons with disabilities, faith-based groups, trade unions, and community forums to actively contribute. Government has highlighted that the summit will allow lived experiences to inform global commitments, bridging the gap between policymaking and everyday realities.

Building on Global Innovations

DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed in an August media briefing that preparations are well underway. He stressed that South Africa intends to go beyond the 13 official G20 Engagement Groups by broadening outreach to wider civil society, including think tanks, academic institutions, and informal networks across Africa and the globe.

This approach builds on Brazil’s 2024 innovation, which institutionalised civil society input into the G20 framework. President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to expand this legacy, ensuring that the Social Summit becomes a permanent, people-centred component of the G20 process.

Elevating Social Priorities to Global Leadership

Traditionally, G20 summits have placed strong emphasis on macroeconomic stability and financial systems. However, the Social Summit seeks to place social development, equity, and inclusion at the same level of urgency.

Delegates will work toward producing a Leaders’ Declaration that reflects the aspirations, concerns, and lived experiences of ordinary citizens, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised groups. The declaration will serve as a reference point for G20 leaders, ensuring that policy outcomes resonate beyond high-level negotiations.

Registration and Participation

Government has issued an open call for grassroots organisations, informal groups, and civil society movements from South Africa, the African continent, and the international community to participate.

• Registration deadline: 24 October 2025

• Registration link: G20 Social Summit Registration Form

• Inquiries: Email socialsummit@dirco.gov.za

DIRCO has urged wide participation, stating:

“It is vital that global commitments are grounded in the lived experiences of communities.”

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Social Summit promises to be a historic gathering of people’s voices, ensuring that global decision-making is not only shaped by leaders and experts but also rooted in the concerns of citizens from every walk of life.

As the world faces challenges ranging from climate change and inequality to unemployment and food insecurity, this platform offers a chance to shape solutions through solidarity, dialogue, and inclusivity.