A major breakthrough for civil society advocacy has emerged ahead of the 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit, as the European Commission has expressed deep regret over the exclusion of civil society organisations from this year’s G20 process.
Pan-African digital rights and inclusion organisation, Paradigm Initiative, welcomed the European Commission’s response on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, describing the recognition as an important step towards ensuring that ordinary citizens and public-interest organisations have a voice in global policymaking.
In a letter addressed to the Global Coordinator of the Shadow C20 Coalition, the European Commission acknowledged that public participation is essential to the legitimacy of international policymaking. The response followed the coalition’s presentation of its Civil Society Priorities for G20 Action on Artificial Intelligence, which also outlines five pillars for AI governance.
The development is particularly significant because, for the first time since the Civil 20 (C20) was established, the 2026 G20 process has no structured mechanism for civil society participation.
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Since 2013, the C20 has provided a formal platform through which non-governmental organisations and other civil society groups could influence discussions and policy recommendations presented to G20 leaders. Its contributions have covered critical issues, including vaccine access, clean energy, artificial intelligence oversight and the protection of children online.
By 2025, the platform had grown to represent more than 3,000 organisations worldwide. However, the 2026 G20 presidency eliminated all civil society engagement groups, retaining only the Business 20 (B20).
In response to this development, Paradigm Initiative joined the Shadow C20 Coalition in 2026, working alongside international organisations to ensure that public-interest concerns are not ignored when global leaders make decisions affecting millions of people.
Launched by the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), in collaboration with several global non-governmental organisations, the Shadow C20 Coalition began developing its civil society statement in March 2026. The initiative has since attracted broad endorsements from organisations across different countries.
The coalition is particularly concerned about the future of artificial intelligence governance, arguing that decisions about emerging technologies must reflect the interests, rights and experiences of the people affected by them.
With the 2026 G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for December 14–15 in Miami, Florida, United States, the coalition is urging governments to ensure that their commitments reflect public interests rather than only the priorities of powerful institutions and businesses.
Paradigm Initiative’s welcome of the European Commission’s response signals renewed momentum for the coalition’s campaign and reinforces the importance of inclusive participation in international decision-making.
For civil society organisations advocating digital rights, transparency and accountability, the recognition offers an encouraging opportunity to strengthen calls for more inclusive global AI governance.
