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South Africa Pushes Through G20 Declaration Despite U.S. Boycott

written by Ruchika Pareek Source

International

oi-Ruchika Pareek

Time

South Africa went ahead with its G20 summit plans on Saturday, announcing that world leaders had approved a joint declaration despite the United States boycotting the event. President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson confirmed the development, noting that months of negotiations had produced a final document that would not be reopened. "It can't be renegotiated. We had the entire year of working towards this adoption, and the past week has been quite intense," the spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

The U.S. boycott - based on claims that South Africa's Black-majority government discriminates against white citizens, allegations rejected by South Africa and widely dismissed internationally - overshadowed the start of the first G20 summit ever held on African soil. However, South African officials maintained that the absence would not affect efforts to reach agreement. Ahead of the summit, sources revealed that G20 envoys had already completed a draft declaration without any U.S. participation, a move a senior White House official criticised as "shameful." One source added that references to climate change remained in the text, despite objections from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has questioned scientific conclusions regarding human-driven climate change.

South Africa proceeded with its G20 summit, announcing the approval of a joint declaration despite the U.S. boycott due to alleged discrimination and climate policy disagreements; the declaration emphasizes multilateralism, climate action, and addressing global economic challenges.

South Africa Pushes Through G20 Declaration Despite U S Boycott

In his opening remarks, Ramaphosa adopted a firm stance, telling delegates that there had been "overwhelming consensus" to adopt the declaration at the outset. He thanked member states for negotiating "in good faith to produce a worthy G20 outcome document," emphasising that nothing should diminish "the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency."

US rejects South Africa's agenda
Washington's absence was also linked to its opposition to South Africa's climate-focused priorities. Trump resisted the host nation's focus on helping developing nations adapt to climate-related disasters, expand clean energy, and lower borrowing costs. Because of this, the United States objected to including any language on climate or renewable energy in the final communiqué. Several other G20 members also traditionally prefer weaker climate language, raising questions about how consensus was achieved.

Three of South Africa's four main agenda items - climate resilience, financing for the green transition, and ensuring that critical minerals benefit producer countries - revolve around climate policy. The fourth priority involves creating a fairer global lending framework for low-income nations.

The U.S. boycott also complicated Ramaphosa's attempt to present South Africa as a champion of multilateral cooperation. However, analysts noted that the U.S. absence may have made it easier for other members to unite behind South Africa's proposals. South Africa will transfer the G20 presidency to the United States in 2026, though Ramaphosa remarked that he would be handing responsibilities this year to an "empty chair." Pretoria has declined Washington's suggestion to have its chargé d'affaires represent the president during the handover.

What the Declaration says
The approved declaration highlights the G20's commitment to strengthening multilateralism, stressing the need to "strengthen multilateral cooperation" at a moment of deepening geopolitical tensions and increasing global risks.

On international conflicts, leaders pledged to work toward "a just, comprehensive and lasting peace" in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory, and Ukraine - reflecting priorities of the African-hosted presidency.

Climate change, a central issue for South Africa, is strongly represented in the text. Members acknowledged "the urgency and seriousness" of the crisis and backed efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity. The declaration also underscores that large-scale disasters are occurring more frequently and disproportionately harming vulnerable populations, worsening poverty and inequality - aligning with South Africa's emphasis on climate justice.

Economically, the G20 committed to improving implementation of the Common Framework for Debt Treatments in a "predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner." The declaration also warns that high debt burdens remain a major barrier to inclusive development in poorer countries. It notes with concern that interest payments on external debt for developing economies have more than doubled in the past decade, highlighting the need for urgent financial reforms and relief.

The statement also underscores the importance of critical minerals, stressing that these resources must support value addition and broad-based development rather than remain limited to raw exports.

Looking ahead, G20 leaders pledged to continue working together when the United States assumes the presidency in 2026, even though Washington did not attend this year's summit - an acknowledgment of the need for continuity in global economic governance.

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written by Ruchika Pareek Source

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