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G20 leaders adopted a consensus declaration on Saturday during their summit in Johannesburg, brushing aside objections from the United States and signalling a collective commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation.
The decision to approve the Declaration at the outset — rather than at the traditional closing session — represented an unusual procedural shift, highlighting the determination of attending nations to press ahead despite Washington’s absence.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, described the swift adoption as “an affirmation of multilateralism.”
According to Lamola, “the declaration had already been negotiated and agreed upon by G20 Sherpas prior to the summit, enabling swift endorsement by heads of state.” He explained that leaders had been fully briefed by their Sherpas, leaving no barrier to adopting the Declaration during the first segment of the two-day meeting. “The various leaders who are here have been briefed by their Sherpas on what is in the declaration so there was nothing that stops us from putting the declaration forward for adoption by the leaders who are in the first segment of this (two-day) meeting,” he said.
The adopted text reportedly incorporates nearly all of South Africa’s key priorities, from debt sustainability to concerns about the heavier interest rates imposed on countries with similar risk profiles.
Lamola said South Africa was “thrilled that they agreed to do it,” noting that the document carries “a number of revolutionary aspects for the African continent and the world.”
The United States boycotted the summit over Washington’s objections to South Africa’s push for a declaration framed around climate action.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said on Saturday night that President Donald Trump objected to the inclusion of language addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges, accusing Pretoria of undermining the “legit G20 process.” She added that Trump looked forward to “restoring legitimacy to the G20 in the US’s 2026 host year.”
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between Pretoria and Washington, with the US accusing South Africa of alleged genocide against Afrikaner farmers and of refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency.
Despite initially vowing not to attend the summit “at any level,” the US abruptly reversed course on Friday, announcing that Trump would be represented by the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Pretoria.
South Africa rejected suggestions that President Cyril Ramaphosa should hand over the G20 leadership to a chargé d’affaires. Lamola insisted that the transition would occur at an “appropriate level.” “Our president cannot hand over to a chargé d’affaires in a summit attended by so many heads of state,” he said.
A chargé d’affaires is a diplomat who leads a mission in the absence of an ambassador.
Founded in 1999, the G20 brings together 19 nations along with the European Union and the African Union. This year’s summit marks the first time the gathering is being hosted on African soil.
