G20 Voluntary and Non-Binding High-Level Principles on Sustainable Industrial Policy for Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Jobs and Equality
Industrialisation – particularly the growth of manufacturing and related sectors – is one of the main drivers of productivity, job creation, and economic growth. In a world facing multifaceted and intertwined challenges, inclusive and sustainable industrial policies have therefore become increasingly urgent to strengthen economic resilience, diversify economies, and support a robust recovery that secures economic opportunities for all countries. Industry provides strong multiplier effects across other sectors of the economy, fostering innovation, creating jobs, and producing essential goods and services for society.
Sustainable and inclusive industrial policies, guided by our pursuit to achieve sustainability and eradicate poverty, in line with international law as applicable, will be crucial in delivering economic transformation and collaboration towards strengthening investment in international production and trade systems, and international trade.
Accounting for a major share of the world’s industrial output and manufacturing value-added, the G20 is in a unique position to enhance policy cooperation and champion inclusive and sustainable industrialisation worldwide. Recognising diverse national circumstances, the members of the G20 support the following voluntary, non-binding High-Level Principles on Sustainable and Inclusive Industrial Policy:
Strive towards achievement of higher levels of economic output in a manner that supports economic, social and environmental sustainability, and productivity and ensuring that natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystems are sustainably used, managed, conserved and restored to provide benefits for people and nature for future generations to meet their own needs while taking into account national development requirements.
Reduce inequality and existing constraints, by ensuring that harms, are mitigated against and that benefits stemming from industrialisation are shared among and within countries focusing in particular on benefits for women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, and local communities and people in vulnerable situations, and ensuring that multilateralism is strengthened.
Further advance sustainable economic diversification and industrialisation, particularly aiming at supporting developing countries, in creating jobs, increasing growth, elevating fiscal income as a result, and combatting poverty.
Foster collaboration to support sustainable and inclusive industrialisation, in particular for developing and least developed countries, and policy space in line with international rules and commitments, as applicable, through, among others, capacity building, knowledge sharing, voluntary technology transfer on mutually agreed terms and strengthening productive capability, especially in micro, small and medium sized enterprises, and start-ups.
Encourage creating and sustaining quality jobs and decent work with high standards and adequate wages, respect for the rights of workers in accordance with national legislation and with relevant international labour standards, promote social dialogue, transition that focuses on policies that ensure decent jobs and facilitate better employment through skilling, reskilling and upskilling for sustainable and inclusive industrialisation.
Strengthen multilateralism and encourage stability, fair competition and predictability in the global economy to facilitate investment in inclusive and sustainable productive sectors, existing and emerging technologies while promoting industrial innovation through technological innovation.
Promote measures to lower the cost of and facilitate access to capital, mitigate risks and encourage objective risk assessment for investments in developing countries, particularly on the African continent.
Advance global collaboration and dialogue to maximise the positive impacts associated with the implementation of sustainable industrial policies, while working on actions in compliance with international rights and obligations including WTO Rules to minimise the negative effects of these policies.
Encourage innovation, co-development and voluntary transfer of knowledge and technology on mutually agreed terms to support industrial development in developing countries, particularly least developed countries.
Pursue economic, social and environmental development in a way that advances diversification and sustainable industrialisation, without replicating patterns of economic and technological dependency, maintains fiscal balance and avoids value chain disruptions particularly for developing and least developed countries.
Promote a global enabling environment for sustainable, diversified and resilient value chains that contribute to industrial development and take into account the special needs and vulnerabilities of developing countries.
Championing women entrepreneurship in sustainable and inclusive industries, enabling equal access and benefits from job opportunities in the economy, and develop policies that promote greater entry, retention, transparent and equitable career advancement processes, women-led development and leadership of women in sustainable and inclusive industries, including by promoting women's financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Promote resource efficiency and circularity, and support advancement of public and private investments in sustainable, inclusive, resilient and quality infrastructure that enables economies to accelerate their progress.
Furthermore, G20 members may consider further discussion on sustainable and inclusive industrialisation under the G20.
The meeting commended and thanked the South African Presidency for its leadership of the G20 in 2025 and looks forward to the G20 Presidency of the United States of America in 2026.
