Reflection on Outcomes of the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) congratulates the G20 leaders on the successful 2025 G20  Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, held on November 22–23, 2025. This first G20 summit on the African continent advanced priorities set by the host under the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability. 

The Johannesburg Summit produced several concrete results, including strengthened representation of Africa in global governance, steps toward reforming the international financial architecture to expand long-term development financing, agreements on climate adaptation and resilience funding, measures to support food security and safeguard supply chains, as well as initiatives encouraging investment in infrastructure, industrial growth and equitable energy transitions.

Commitments adopted in Johannesburg concerning financial access, industrial development, climate adaptation and social inclusion correspond to UPF’s principles of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values. UPF will work with governmental, civic and academic partners to support implementation of the summit’s conclusions. 

UPF maintains active engagement across Africa. Previous high level UPF summits in Cape Town and Johannesburg brought together political, religious and civic leaders to examine regional challenges and explore cooperative solutions. UPF’s founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and Rev. Sun Myung Moon, have long highlighted Africa’s significance in global development. UPF-Africa contributes through interreligious dialogue, youth leadership programs, community-based peacebuilding and cooperation with parliamentarians and civil society organizations. UPF recognizes the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global reference framework.

Recent climate outcomes at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, complement the climate-related commitments of the G20 Johannesburg Summit, particularly the emphasis on adaptation, resilience finance and climate justice. These developments are relevant for countries across Africa that face heightened environmental risks.

In the context of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations on October 24, 2025, UPF’s programs contribute to discussions on strengthening global institutions and supporting principles reflected in recent UN resolutions on multilateralism, including efforts relevant to SDG 16. UPF’s regional activities in Africa continue to support community-based initiatives that reinforce institutional cooperation.

Following the United Nations Summit of the Future in 2024, commitments within the G20 on reforming the international financial architecture reinforce objectives of the Pact for the Future. UPF contributes to discussions on these issues through its work in interreligious dialogue and partnerships with African organizations across the global South to address governance challenges.

UPF will continue to contribute to the follow-up of the Johannesburg commitments and to international discussions associated with the reform of global institutions, including follow-up processes linked to the Pact of the Future.

Dr. Tageldin Ibrahim Hamad, President, UPF-International November 23, 2025