Jakarta, The PRAKARSA – Tuesday (13/1/2026), The PRAKARSA attended a sharing session titled "Evaluation of the G20 South Africa and Preparations for the G20 United States" at the Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta. The event featured Tri Purnajaya, Director of Economic Development and Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and representatives from civil society organizations, including INFID, PWYP Indonesia, and The Habibie Center.
The sharing session was held to establish a common understanding of the dynamics and outcomes of the 2025 South African G20 Presidency, identify opportunities for civil society intervention, and Indonesia's priority agenda ahead of the 2026 United States G20 Presidency. It also aimed to agree on a follow-up plan to strengthen advocacy messages related to global financial architecture reform, fiscal justice, a just energy transition, and the protection of civil space.
In his presentation, Tri Purnajaya highlighted the possibility of a shift in focus from the themes of sustainable development and inclusivity that have been strengthened in the presidencies of developing countries, to a more "back-to-basics" approach under the US presidency. "The United States will likely simplify the G20's working structure and focus more on economic growth, deregulation, and energy security," Tri said.
Discussion participants emphasized Indonesia's importance as a middle power, bridging the interests of developed and developing countries, while ensuring that priority issues of the Global South remain within the G20's working architecture. In this context, consolidating civil society advocacy messages is seen as crucial to strengthening Indonesia's position in various diplomatic channels and multilateral forums.
Discussion participants emphasized Indonesia's importance as a middle power, bridging the interests of developed and developing countries, while ensuring that priority issues of the Global South remain within the G20's working architecture. In this context, consolidating civil society advocacy messages is seen as crucial to strengthening Indonesia's position in various diplomatic channels and multilateral forums.
Participants underscored the burden of debt costs and high borrowing costs for developing countries, which hamper financing of public services and the climate agenda. At the global level, reforming debt management mechanisms (including improvements to the Common Framework), expanding access to cheaper financing, and strengthening the accountability of rating agencies biased toward developing countries are considered urgent issues that require continued promotion.
The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening the UN Tax Convention process as a more inclusive pathway for Global South countries, while also promoting a fairer global tax architecture to close tax avoidance loopholes, prevent illicit financial flows, and strengthen domestic revenue mobilization. One option that emerged was a wealth tax as a redistributive instrument and additional funding source for public services and climate action.
Participants emphasized the need to ensure the energy transition agenda, including the implementation of the Bali Roadmap/JETP, does not disadvantage vulnerable groups. Strengthening social safeguards (including GEDSI), expanding access to more equitable climate finance for grassroots organizations and women, and responsible governance of critical minerals are considered crucial to prevent downstreaming from deepening socio-ecological inequalities.
The discussion also examined the uncertain participation space for engagement groups (including the C20) under the US presidency. Given geopolitical dynamics and the declining effectiveness of multilateralism, civil society advocacy strategies need to adapt: utilizing various channels (engagement groups, UN processes, and other forums such as BRICS+ and the OECD) to keep the reform agenda alive.
Going forward, participants agreed on the importance of strengthening cross-CSO coordination to oversee a series of global agendas for 2026, including the G20 US Presidency process, the IMF-World Bank Spring/Annual Meetings, the UN Tax Convention process at the UN, the Financing for Development (FfD) agenda, the climate COP, and thematic forums related to energy transition and financing.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to maintain intensive communication with the government and strengthen consolidation among civil society organizations, so that the voices of developing countries remain heard in discussions on the 2026 global agenda, regardless of the political dynamics of the G20 host countries.