G20 Summit Moves Forward with Joint Declaration Despite U.S. Absence
The G20 summit in Johannesburg advanced with a collective declaration, despite the absence of the United States and resistance from several other major economies. Delegates from the world's leading and emerging economies reached consensus on key issues, including renewable energy expansion, climate action, and debt relief for impoverished nations.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, hosting the summit, emphasized the importance of upholding the credibility and integrity of the G20 format. The gathering also included discussions on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with European leaders such as the German Chancellor and the British Prime Minister urging Russia to end its hostilities and highlighting the global economic impact of the war.
European countries, together with Japan and Canada, convened to coordinate their response to proposals from the United States regarding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. These U.S. suggestions, viewed by European states as favoring Ukrainian concessions, were met with skepticism and did not achieve consensus among G20 participants.
The summit was notably impacted by the absence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who declined to attend and accused South Africa of discriminatory practices, though without substantiated evidence. Other nations, including China, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, participated but were not represented by their highest officials. Despite these absences, the majority of G20 members expressed a strong commitment to collaborative action and joint statements.
According to diplomatic sources, the declaration was made possible through a procedural adjustment: rather than being a formal G20 communique or a chair's statement, it was presented as a position supported by the attending heads of state and government. This approach allowed the group to move forward despite the U.S. warning against adopting resolutions in its absence.
The United States, set to assume the G20 presidency in 2026, has signaled intentions to scale back its engagement in future G20 processes, according to reports from European government officials. The summit's discussions were further complicated by divergent stances on international trade and fair economic cooperation, with some leaders underscoring the need for renewed multilateralism and reforms to global institutions, such as the United Nations Security Council, to better reflect current global realities.
South Africa also announced it would forgo the traditional symbolic handover of the G20 chair to the United States at the summit's conclusion, deviating from established protocol. This decision underscores ongoing tensions regarding leadership and agenda-setting within the group.
Throughout the summit, smaller and less economically powerful nations were given a platform to voice concerns about global inequality and the need for greater representation in international decision-making forums. Calls for fairer trade practices and enhanced cooperation on climate change and global debt highlighted the agenda, reinforcing the G20's role in addressing cross-border challenges despite internal divisions.