In brief
The recently concluded G20 summit in South Africa celebrated a joint declaration on multilateral cooperation, emphasizing climate change and economic inequality, even as the US abstained from participation. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the commitment to shared goals, while other leaders noted the implications of America's absence. The summit's focus also included peace efforts in various global conflicts, showcasing a notable shift towards addressing previously sidelined issues.
The G20 summit in South Africa, a gathering of the world's major economies, has ended with a joint declaration committing to multilateral cooperation.
The declaration, which covered climate change mitigation and economic inequality, was adopted despite objections from the US, which boycotted the meeting in Johannesburg.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that the agreement demonstrated that shared goals outweighed the countries' differences.
American President Donald Trump abstained from the G20 due to a widely discredited claim that South Africa's white minority is the victim of large-scale killings and land grabs.
This summit marked the first time a G20 meeting was held in Africa, with Indonesia, India, and Brazil leading the summit in recent years. The United States is set to host the G20 in 2026, anticipated to take place at Trump's golf course in Florida.
Notably, the ceremonial handover of the presidency, expected at the conclusion of the summit, did not occur and is rescheduled for next week involving junior officials.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva remarked that Trump's absence was insignificant, asserting that multilateralism remains more alive than ever. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the US decision to abstain, commenting on a realignment of global connections emerging from the meeting.
Delegates at the summit also reached a consensus on efforts for just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Sudan, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The inclusion of Sudan is particularly noteworthy, marking a new focus on its ongoing turmoil that has persisted for over two years.
