The G20, once a critical platform for global economic coordination, is facing an uncertain future as geopolitical tensions escalate and key nations withdraw from multilateral engagement.
Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent analyst, argues that the summit’s relevance has waned, with the 2026 Trump summit potentially marking its final act. The absence of major leaders, including China and Russia, highlights the forum’s diminished role in addressing global challenges.
The 2026 summit in Florida, which Donald Trump has promised to transform into a unilateral showcase, will likely reflect the US’s preference for bilateral negotiations over collective decision-making. This shift mirrors a broader trend in the West, where the focus is on protecting existing interests rather than fostering global cooperation. Meanwhile, non-Western nations are exploring alternative structures, such as BRICS, to counter the dominance of Western institutions.
The G20 was initially established to address global economic crises and provide a platform for cooperation. However, its effectiveness has declined due to the absence of key players and the shifting dynamics of international relations. As the world moves toward a multipolar framework, the G20 may not be able to adapt to the new geopolitical realities, leading to its eventual obsolescence.
Lukyanov suggests that the forum’s original purpose has been fulfilled, and with the current geopolitical landscape, the G20 is unlikely to regain its former influence. The 2026 summit may serve as a symbolic end to a once-essential mechanism of global governance, paving the way for new structures that better reflect the current distribution of power.