Paradigm Initiative condemns exclusion of civil society from 2026 G20 process
Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has condemned the exclusion of civil society organisations from the 2026 G20 process while welcoming the European Commission’s expression of regret over the development.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Pan-African digital rights and inclusion advocacy organisation said the 2026 G20 presidency had, for the first time since 2013, excluded civil society engagement.
The 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for December 14 and 15 in Miami, Florida, United States. Previously, the G20 process allowed civil society groups to contribute to policymaking discussions on issues such as vaccine access, clean energy, artificial intelligence regulation, and online child protection.
“For the first time since the C20’s inception, there is no structured mechanism within the G20 for public input,” PIN said.
“The 2026 G20 presidency eliminated civil society participation for the first time since 2013. Since 2013, the Civil 20 has given the public an official voice in G20 outcomes.”
It added, “The only group retained is the Business 20.”
Paradigm Initiative welcomed the European Commission’s expression of regret over the exclusion. It said that, in a letter to the global coordinator of the Shadow C20 Coalition, the commission expressed “deep regret” over the exclusion, acknowledging that “public participation is essential to the legitimacy of international policymaking.”
The organisation said that in response to the exclusion, it joined the Shadow C20 Coalition in 2026 to ensure that the public is represented in the G20 process.
Launched by the Centre for AI and Digital Policy in collaboration with international non-governmental organisations that participated in the C20 process, the coalition has worked since March to develop and publish a civil society statement outlining priorities for G20 action on artificial intelligence ahead of the leaders’ summit.
According to PIN, the coalition has been working since March to develop recommendations on artificial intelligence for the G20 ahead of the leaders’ summit.
Paradigm Initiative connects underserved young Africans with digital opportunities while promoting digital rights across the continent.
The organisation has worked in Nigerian communities since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, with interventions in more than 27 African countries.
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