G20 Policy Advice
In 2017, the Leopoldina initiated the Science20 process (S20) in coordination with the German government, thereby bringing the voice of science to the G20 summits. Together with the academies of the G20 countries, it has been developing recommendations on global future issues ever since.
Last edited: 05. December 2025
Publications
The annual summit meetings of the heads of state and government of the G20 countries are accompanied by the national science academies of these countries in the Science20 (S20) format. They draw up science-based statements on topics on the summit agenda. The academy of the host country takes the lead in each case.
The joint recommendations are published before the summit meetings and submitted to the respective G20 presidency.
In order to involve science more closely in the G20 process, the German government launched the Science20 process during the German G20 presidency in 2017. For the G20 summit in Hamburg, the science academies, under the leadership of the Leopoldina, drew up a scientific statement on improved global healthcare for the first time. Since its successful launch, the S20 process has taken place annually.
In addition to the G7 countries - Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States - the G20 also includes Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. The European Union and the African Union will also be involved.
G20 Statement 2025
Climate change and well-being
In the run-up to the G20 summit in Johannesburg/South Africa on 22 and 23 November 2025, the science academies of the G20 countries, including the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, are contributing science-based recommendations to the consultation process as Science20. The jointly published statement "Climate Change and Well-Being" recommends measures to mitigate the consequences of climate change and to adapt in the areas of health, ecology and technology. Climate Change and Well-Being (2025)
G20 Chief Science Advisers Roundtable
The G20 Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (G20 CSAR) was established in 2023 under India's G20 presidency. The President of the Leopoldina represents Germany ad personam in this body on behalf of the German Federal Government.
In 2025, the South African G20 presidency resumed the Roundtable. The format brings together the Chief Scientific Advisers of the G20 countries to discuss current scientific findings and prepare evidence-based recommendations for the G20 summits.
The G20 CSAR is a stand-alone process and independent of the G20 policy advice provided by the academies in the Science20 process.
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Kontakt Dr. Ruth Narmann
Head of International Relations Department
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Kontakt Christian Weidlich
Deputy Head of International Relations Department