OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal
https://doi.org/10.64211/oidaijsd190618
Reimagining global urban governance and institutional justice: South Africa’s G20 presidency and the push for sustainable cities and strong institutions
Goldmarks Makamure
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Corresponding author: goldmakamure@gmail.com, MakamureG1@ukzn.ac.za
Volume 19, Isue 06, Pg. 233-240, 2026.
Abstract: South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025 presents an unprecedented opportunity to advance a global agenda centred on inclusive urban development and institutional justice. This paper explores how South Africa can leverage its leadership to influence Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions). By drawing from its own urban and institutional transformation experiences, South Africa can drive a G20 discourse that addresses the rising fragility of cities, the democratic deficit in global governance, and the persistent exclusion of the Global South from decision-making forums. Through championing equitable urban development, inclusive digital infrastructure, and accountable institutions, South Africa’s presidency can shape a new multilateral consensus on urban resilience, peacebuilding, and governance reform. The paper concludes by proposing key G20 actions, including the establishment of an Urban Resilience Task Force and a G20 Accountability Charter, to mainstream SDGs 11 and 16 into global policy frameworks.
Keywords: South Africa, G20, SDG 11, SDG 16, Urban resilience, Institutional reform, global governance
Full-text paper download here