IPAG Unveils Landmark Publication on Global South's G20 Leadership at Johannesburg Summit
The Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG), a renowned international think tank from Bangladesh, has launched a groundbreaking publication titled 'G20's Global South Years (2022-2025): Towards an Inclusive, Prosperous, and Peaceful World' at the G20 Leadership Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This two-day summit, which concludes tomorrow, marks a significant milestone in global governance.
The publication, edited by Prof. Syed Munir Khasru, IPAG's chairman and lead author, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Global South's unprecedented leadership in the G20. From 2022 to 2025, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa will take turns presiding over the G20, a rare opportunity for the Global South to shape global policies.
The book delves into the intricate decision-making processes, negotiations, and institutional dynamics that have influenced G20 policy outcomes. It highlights several key achievements during the Global South-led presidencies, including the establishment of the Pandemic Fund, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, Digital Public Infrastructure, and the admission of the African Union as a permanent G20 member.
Furthermore, the publication sheds light on how the Global South presidencies navigated complex crises, such as geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, debt vulnerabilities, and climate pressures, while advancing critical agendas related to food security, digital transformation, just energy transitions, and multilateral development bank reform.
IPAG's research emphasizes how each presidency has worked to move the G20 beyond crisis management and toward long-term structural transformation, particularly for developing economies. The publication is described as a valuable intellectual resource, offering insights into how Global South leadership can foster cooperation, inspire reform, and enhance global resilience during a period of significant uncertainty.
IPAG has established itself as a prominent voice in global governance through its thought leadership, research, and policy engagement within the G20 and G7 communities. Prof. Khasru, a key figure in this endeavor, has co-chaired several task forces under both the G20 and G7 and authored 25 policy briefs for these groups.
For the South African G20 Presidency, Prof. Khasru led the policy brief on just energy transition, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IRENA, and TERI. IPAG's influence extends to the G7 Canadian Presidency in 2025, making it the only entity to produce policy briefs in three critical areas: artificial intelligence, data governance, and renewable energy transitions.
Despite Bangladesh's non-membership in the G20, IPAG continues to represent the voice of the developing Global South through its research and policy contributions, offering valuable insights into the potential of Global South leadership in global governance.
