JOHANNESBURG – The G20 summit concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 23, marked by a diplomatic win for the host nation as it secured early adoption of a joint declaration despite the absence of the United States. South Africa, holding the first African presidency of the forum, deliberately shifted protocol by having the declaration approved at the summit’s opening on November 22, with the agreement of “many delegations,” according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The move was widely interpreted as a direct response to anticipated U.S. opposition, as the American administration had signaled it would object to a declaration in its absence. Throughout the year,the Trump administration reportedly worked to undermine South Africa’s leadership of the G20.
Despite the U.S. boycott, the summit focused on priorities for developing nations, particularly debt sustainability and support for countries impacted by climate disasters. Ramaphosa hailed the declaration’s adoption as a reaffirmation of “our renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and our recognition that our common goals outweigh our differences.”
