Global Youth Leaders to Converge in Tshwane for Y20 South Africa Pre-Summit

Pretoria, South Africa – A diverse cohort of global youth leaders will gather at The Innovation Hub in Tshwane from 18 to 19 June 2025 for the official Y20 South Africa Pre-Summit, a high-level hybrid gathering that marks a critical step in shaping the global youth agenda under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

Held during South Africa’s Youth Month, the Pre-Summit is more than just a diplomatic engagement—it is a symbolic and strategic moment that fuses the legacy of South Africa’s historic 1976 youth uprising with the energy and ambition of today’s youth from across the globe. Delegates from G20 member states and beyond will unite to negotiate and contribute to policy priorities that will feed directly into the main Y20 Summit and ultimately inform the G20 Leaders’ Communiqué.

A Platform for Change

This year’s Pre-Summit is themed around “Driving Inclusive, Youth-Led Global Policy Change,” and aims to spark transformative dialogue on some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Participants will deliberate on:

• Decent work and economic growth
• Digital equity, innovation, and skills development
• Climate justice and environmental sustainability
• Youth engagement in global governance and multilateralism reform
• Inclusive social development and reducing inequality

Beyond the policy working groups, the event will feature cultural exchanges, interactive plenaries, and keynote sessions involving prominent thought leaders from Africa and the international community. Both in-person and virtual participation will ensure global inclusivity and reach.

“This isn’t just a youth summit — it’s a declaration of intent,” organisers stated. “African and global youth are stepping forward with the ideas and leadership needed to shape a just, inclusive future.”

From Commemoration to Concrete Action

Hosting the summit during Youth Month affirms South Africa’s commitment to moving beyond symbolic recognition of youth to enabling tangible impact. The event reflects a growing consensus: young people are not just the future—they are the now. They demand a new world order rooted in dignity, equality, and freedom, and are calling for bold action to confront social, economic, and environmental inequalities.

As negotiations commence and policy tracks align, the Y20 South Africa Pre-Summit sets the tone for what many see as a watershed moment in global youth diplomacy. With Africa at the helm of the G20 this year, the continent’s young voices are poised to drive a new vision of solidarity, cooperation, and shared progress.

For more updates on the Y20 South Africa Summit and Pre-Summit proceedings, follow @Y20SouthAfrica on social media or visit the official G20 SA website.