President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, accompanied by First Lady Emine Erdoğan and senior Turkish government officials. Upon arrival, President Erdoğan and the Turkish delegation were welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the host of this year's summit.
The summit opened with discussions on the global economic outlook and a broad agenda covering trade, development, health, energy, and climate challenges. Key priorities included disaster resilience, debt sustainability for vulnerable low-income nations, financing a just energy transition, increasing climate finance for developing countries, and advancing inclusive growth through the responsible development of critical minerals.
President Erdoğan participated in the sessions titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind," “A Resilient World – The G20's Contribution," and “A Fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence," where leaders exchanged views on trade, development financing, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and food systems.
At the G20 Summit, President Erdoğan delivered a powerful message on global solidarity and justice. He called for deeper international cooperation, fair debt restructuring for low-income nations, and stronger trade rules, urging: “I invite the entire G20 to assume greater responsibility in building a more inclusive global economy where no one is left behind." President Erdoğan also emphasized that sustaining the ceasefire in Gaza is vital for global peace.
Throughout the summit, President Erdoğan held bilateral meetings with several leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Angolan President João Lourenço, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
President Erdoğan also attended the 2025 MIKTA Leaders' Gathering held on the margins of the summit. Together with the leaders of Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, and Australia, Türkiye discussed regional issues, cooperation opportunities, and preparations for COP31, which Türkiye will host in Antalya in 2026.
Türkiye's long-term vision for sustainable energy was also highlighted at the summit. The 2053 Net Zero Emissions Goal and the “Green Future" framework demonstrate Türkiye's commitment to climate responsibility, sustainable development, and intergenerational justice. The globally recognized Zero Waste Movement, championed by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, further reflects Türkiye's determination to promote responsible production, recycling, and environmental stewardship—an approach that aligns with the core priorities of COP31.
At this year's G20 Summit, Türkiye showcased its strategic role as the nexus of the world, presenting a clear vision for inclusive growth, climate responsibility, and a fairer international economic system. Through its 2053 net-zero target, the Zero Waste Movement, and leadership toward COP31, Türkiye positioned itself as a rising regional and global actor committed to building a greener, more resilient, and more just future.