JOHANNESBURG: In a major break from tradition, leaders of the G20 group of major economies adopted a joint declaration at the start of their summit in South Africa on Saturday. The move came despite strong opposition from the United States, which is boycotting the two-day meeting in a deepening diplomatic rift with the host nation.
South African Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the declaration was unanimously adopted by all other members at the opening session in Johannesburg. Usually, G20 declarations are finalized and signed at the end of the summit.
Although the full contents of the declaration were not immediately released, South Africa hailed the early adoption as a symbolic victory for the first-ever G20 summit held on African soil. The host nation has been pushing for a stronger focus on global inequality, climate challenges, and development issues affecting the world’s poorest countries.
US Boycott Overshadows Summit
The summit has been overshadowed by the US boycott, ordered by President Donald Trump.
South African officials said the US had pressured them not to adopt a declaration in the absence of an American delegation.
The summit’s opening was held at an exhibition centre near Soweto, the historic township once home to Nelson Mandela. South Africa has set an ambitious agenda aimed at addressing long-standing issues in the developing world.
As he opened the summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that “consensus has emerged.” However, comments he made were accidentally broadcast during what was supposed to be a closed-door session. Ramaphosa was overheard saying leaders would “adopt our declaration now,” before being informed the cameras were still on.
Although South Africa said the adoption was unanimous, Argentina later stated that it did not endorse the declaration. President Javier Milei skipped the summit in solidarity with Trump, and Argentina was represented instead by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno.
South Africa’s Agenda for the G20
With the rotating presidency, South Africa has set priorities that include:
- Increased support for developing countries facing climate disasters
- Reducing overwhelming foreign debt burdens
- Expanding access to green energy
- Giving developing nations more control over their critical mineral resources
UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the ambitious goals, saying: “South Africa has done its part by putting these issues clearly on the table.”
G20 Facing Internal Strains
French President Emmanuel Macron said he regretted Trump’s absence but insisted the summit must move forward.
“Our duty is to be present, engage, and work together,” he said. “We have too many challenges.”
The G20 consists of 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union. Together, the bloc represents 85% of the global economy, 75% of international trade, and more than half the world’s population.
However, the group works strictly on consensus, which has been increasingly difficult due to geopolitical divides involving the US, Russia, China, and other powers.
Dispute Over Future of Declaration
Traditionally, G20 summits end with a detailed leaders’ declaration. However, South Africa said the US asked it to “tone down” the final document and issue a unilateral host statement instead.
Ramaphosa pushed back, saying: “We will not be bullied.”
Despite the dispute, the direction of the bloc will soon shift. The US will take over the G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the summit.
The White House confirmed that the only US role this weekend will be a low-level embassy representative attending the ceremonial handover — something South Africa called “an insult.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said President Ramaphosa would not hand over the presidency to a “junior official,” and he predicted the handover ceremony might not even take place.
About the Author
