G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders’ Declaration

Overview

The 2025 G20 Social Summit and Leaders’ Declaration delivered a major win for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH), with global leaders formally recognising the importance of investing in their health and well-being - and acknowledging the leadership of the Global Leaders Network (GLN). This marks a significant step forward for accountability and high-level political commitment to WCAH. 

In the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, leaders affirmed “the critical importance of investing in the health and well-being of all, including women, children and adolescents as a foundation for sustainable development” and commended South Africa’s leadership in chairing the Global Leaders’ Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.

This reference signals growing political recognition of WCAH as central to inclusive growth, social stability and global prosperity.

The Declaration follows a vibrant G20 Social Summit, held for the first time on African soil, where non-government stakeholders were given a platform to engage directly with the G20. Leaders applauded the summit for enabling diverse voices to influence priority-setting across the G20 agenda, including health, gender equality, social protection and youth empowerment.

The inclusion of WCAH and the GLN in the final Leaders’ Declaration reflects sustained advocacy by partners and demonstrates that political momentum is building around the need for stronger, accountable leadership to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.