Downing Street has confirmed the United Kingdom will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2027, with the presidency positioned around stable growth, fair trade and investment. The announcement was issued on 22 November 2025 alongside the Johannesburg summit, framing the role as part of the government’s economic programme.
The G20 brings together 19 countries plus the European Union and, since 2023, the African Union. Collectively the forum represents about 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of world trade and roughly two‑thirds of the global population, underlining the scale of the agenda the UK will steer in 2027.
Officials highlighted the depth of existing ties: G20 partners account for 17 of the UK’s top 20 export markets and 18 of the top 20 sources of foreign direct investment. That positioning is the backdrop for No.10’s intention to use the presidency to reinforce economic stability at home and abroad.
Government figures cite more than 3,800 investment projects from G20 members into the UK over the past three years, supporting almost 200,000 jobs. Recent examples include Shinhan Bank’s plan to deploy around £2 billion in the UK over five years, Sumitomo Corporation’s intention to facilitate up to £7.5 billion in infrastructure and clean energy by 2035, and Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo expanding production in Rotherham.
As host, the UK will steer the G20’s one‑year agenda through two established workstreams. The Finance Track is led by finance ministers and central bank governors; the Sherpa Track is led by leaders’ representatives who coordinate negotiations across the working groups. Engagement groups from business, labour, cities, civil society and academia feed recommendations into this process.
Sequencing is set. South Africa’s presidency concludes in December 2025 with a handover to the United States for 2026. The UK presidency begins on 1 January 2027 and will be supported by the Troika of past, current and incoming hosts to ensure continuity across agendas and deliverables.
The forum’s policy weight is well established. At the London Summit in April 2009, leaders agreed a $1.1 trillion package comprising increased IMF resources, new Special Drawing Rights, additional multilateral development bank lending and expanded trade finance-an illustration of the G20’s ability to mobilise concrete measures.
Themes flagged by No.10-growth, fair trade and investment-map directly onto standing G20 workstreams spanning trade and investment, digital economy, environment and climate sustainability, sustainable finance, international taxation and financial stability. The UK will refine priorities with partners through the Finance and Sherpa tracks and in concert with the Troika.
Delivery will be extensive. South Africa planned around 130 technical and ministerial meetings during its presidency year-an indicator of the operational footprint a host typically manages. For UK contracting authorities and suppliers, procurement will run under the Procurement Act regime that went live on 24 February 2025, with many common goods and services sourced via Crown Commercial Service agreements.
Next steps will include publication of the UK’s presidency priorities, a calendar of working group and ministerial meetings, and details on engagement group participation and leads for the Finance and Sherpa tracks. The No.10 announcement did not specify venues or a calendar, with further detail expected as preparations progress.