French President Emmanuel Macron has raised fresh alarms about the future of the Group of 20, suggesting the international economic forum may be “reaching the end of a cycle.” Speaking at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Macron emphasized that the bloc’s existence is at risk, highlighting the absence of the United States, ongoing challenges in enforcing humanitarian law, and disputes over national sovereignty, including in Ukraine.
“Meeting for the first time on the African continent marks an important milestone in the life of the G20,” Macron said in his opening remarks. “But we must also recognize that the G-20 may be reaching the end of a cycle.” He added that the lack of a common standard for responding to geopolitical crises underlines the urgent need for renewed collective engagement.
Macron has long been outspoken about the fragility of multilateral institutions. In 2019, he famously described NATO as “brain dead,” a warning that highlighted the alliance’s struggles in adapting to modern geopolitical threats. At the Johannesburg summit, he drew similar parallels, underscoring both the absence of the U.S. and the broader difficulties in coordinating effective global responses.
As the most experienced statesman among the Group of Seven, which France will host next year, Macron’s remarks reflect his long-standing concerns about the erosion of multilateralism. He has also advocated for initiatives such as a “true European army” and stronger European defense coordination, though critics note France has sometimes struggled to match its rhetoric with concrete action.
The French president’s warnings come amid rising uncertainty over the future of international cooperation, as major powers pursue unilateral approaches and longstanding alliances face new strains. Macron’s comments signal a call for urgent reinvigoration of global forums before their influence wanes further.
