Historic G20 in South Africa Elevates Developing World, Peace and Climate Action Despite US Boycott

The G20 leaders' summit in South Africa — the first held on African soil — concluded with a declaration that places the needs of developing countries, conflict resolution and stronger climate action at the centre of the global agenda, despite a high-profile US boycott.

Key commitments

The adopted communique pledges to pursue comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory and Ukraine. It highlights the disproportionate impact of large-scale disasters on vulnerable communities and identifies high debt burdens as a major impediment to inclusive growth in many developing economies.

"We are committed to strengthen the implementation of the G20 common framework for debt treatments in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner."

"Critical minerals should become a catalyst for value-addition and broad-based development, rather than just raw material exports."

Host priorities and diplomatic tensions

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa aimed to preserve the G20's authority while making sure the development priorities of the Global South and Africa were heard at the table. The United States, which boycotted the summit, reportedly asked that no final declaration be issued; President Ramaphosa rejected that demand.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed South Africa's focus and warned that wealthy nations must be willing to make concessions to achieve meaningful progress on climate and financial reforms.

The boycott was driven by the United States' objections to the host's agenda and by political tensions with South Africa. In the run-up to the summit, US Senator Marco Rubio skipped a G20 foreign ministers' meeting, criticizing the agenda's emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion and climate policy.

About the G20

Formally, the G20 comprises 20 members: 19 countries plus the European Union. Created in 1999 as a forum to bridge rich and emerging economies, G20 members together represent roughly 85% of the global economy, 75% of international trade and more than half of the world's population. Decisions are reached by consensus, which can be challenging given the diverse interests of members such as the United States, Russia, China, India, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and others.

The South African summit sought to strengthen commitments on debt treatment, climate resilience and value-added development for critical minerals while urging renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve major conflicts. Despite diplomatic friction, leaders emphasized the importance of collective action on shared global challenges.