Most people know sherpas as the ethnic group in Nepal renowned for guiding climbers through the Himalayas. But in global diplomacy, another kind of sherpa plays a crucial role.

Within the G20 – the international forum for economic cooperation among the world’s major economies – sherpas are the personal representatives of national leaders. These officials handle the complex behind-the-scenes work ahead of summits: negotiating agreements, setting agendas and seeking consensus across a spectrum of critical global issues. This work forms the backbone of what’s called the G20’s Sherpa Track.

The current G20 sherpas are now laying the groundwork for the upcoming summit in Johannesburg this November – the first time the summit will take place on African soil.

Challenges ahead for G20 South Africa

Founded in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, the G20 is now grappling with rising geopolitical tensions and trade disruption as it heads into the 2025 summit.

Among the uncertainties: US President Donald Trump has suggested he may boycott the event over his claims of “white genocide” in South Africa. If he does attend, he’ll confront other G20 leaders from countries such as Brazil and India – nations he has previously targeted with steep tariffs of up to 50% on imported goods.

Despite this tension, the US is scheduled to take over the G20 presidency in 2026.

This year’s summit will also mark the first time in five years the G20 is hosted outside the Global South, following events in Indonesia, India and Brazil. These recent gatherings have prioritised global development, climate policy and debt relief – issues reportedly falling out of favour with the current US administration.

The G20’s role in global crises and development

Representing around 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade, the G20 wields significant influence. And it has used that influence during times of crisis.

The 2007–2008 global financial crisis, triggered in the US, saw coordinated action from the G20 to contain its effects. This included reforms like the Basel III framework to strengthen banks’ capital requirements and the creation of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to foster global financial oversight.

The G20’s 2010 summit in Seoul also expanded its scope to development. The Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth included commitments to the Millennium Development Goals and later transitioned into the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – a far-reaching agenda targeting poverty, inequality and climate change.

However, recent years have tested the G20’s capacity for unity. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the forum has struggled to maintain coherence and coordinated action.

Missing pieces at the table

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the 2025 summit, though Putin skipped the 2024 Brazil event and sent Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead. It’s not yet clear who will represent Russia in Johannesburg.

This raises the possibility that two major powers – the US and Russia – may both be absent from the summit. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already boycotted the first ministerial meeting under South Africa’s presidency, which also saw no-shows from ministers representing China, India, Canada and Japan.

With consensus dwindling and global institutions under pressure, the G20 is facing its biggest challenge yet: proving its relevance in a fractured world.

For the G20 sherpas, the road to Johannesburg is steep – and there’s plenty of heavy lifting ahead.