G20 leaders meeting in Johannesburg on Saturday adopted a consensus declaration early in the summit, moving ahead despite a boycott by the United States and signalling a collective commitment to multilateral cooperation. The move—usually reserved for the end of the summit—highlighted the determination of participating countries to push forward with agreed priorities even in the face of diplomatic tensions.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said the adoption was a strong endorsement of multilateralism at a time of deep global divisions. He explained that G20 Sherpas had already reached agreement on the text ahead of the two-day gathering, allowing heads of state to approve it without prolonged negotiation.
“There was nothing preventing the leaders present from endorsing the declaration,” Lamola said, adding that delegations had been thoroughly briefed before arrival. The declaration includes many of South Africa’s key objectives, among them debt sustainability for developing economies and the disproportionate interest burdens faced by countries with similar risk profiles.
Lamola described the adopted text as containing “revolutionary elements” for Africa and developing nations more broadly, praising the unity shown by participating leaders.
U.S. Boycott Linked to Climate Disputes
The United States declined to participate in the summit, citing objections to South Africa’s push for strong climate language in the final declaration. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said President Donald Trump opposed references to the climate crisis and other global challenges that Washington claimed were being used to “undermine the legitimacy” of the G20 process.
Kelly added that Trump would focus on “restoring legitimacy” when the U.S. hosts the G20 in 2026.
The boycott comes amid intensifying diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria. In recent weeks, U.S. officials have accused South Africa of alleged genocide against Afrikaner farmers and of refusing to support what Washington claimed would be a smooth transition of the G20 presidency.
Controversy Over Representation
Although the U.S. initially announced it would not attend the summit in any capacity, the position shifted on Friday, with Washington later confirming that the chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria would represent the country.
Lamola dismissed suggestions that President Cyril Ramaphosa should hand over the G20 presidency to a diplomat several ranks below head-of-state level, saying the transition would occur “at an appropriate level” that reflects the stature of the summit.
“A president cannot hand over leadership to a chargé d’affaires in a meeting attended by numerous heads of state,” he said, noting that a chargé d’affaires only leads a mission when no ambassador is present.
Africa’s First G20 Summit
The 2025 Johannesburg gathering marks the first time the G20 has convened on African soil since its establishment in 1999. The group consists of 19 countries alongside the European Union and African Union, the latter having been admitted as a permanent member in 2023.
With the declaration now adopted, delegates are expected to use the remainder of the summit to deepen discussions on global economic stability, sustainable development, and the changing geopolitical landscape—issues that remain central despite U.S. absence from the negotiating table.
Source:Africa Publicity
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