G20 Summit in Johannesburg Concludes with 122-Point Declaration Amid US Boycott

The G20 Summit convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22–23, 2025, marking the first time the organization held its meeting on the African continent. The gathering proceeded under the theme championed by the South African presidency: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” However, the event was significantly overshadowed by an unprecedented full boycott from the United States of America.

Despite the conspicuous absence of the American delegation, leaders from the participating nations managed to project a united front. They unanimously adopted the final declaration, a comprehensive document totaling 122 points, surprisingly early on Saturday, November 22. This move broke with the customary practice of finalizing such documents on the summit’s concluding day. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa asserted that the US withdrawal was ultimately their own detriment, as they forfeited a crucial role in discussions involving the world’s largest economy. He maintained that the boycott would not derail progress on vital global issues.

This diplomatic rift was exacerbated by existing tensions concerning South Africa’s proposed agenda and prior statements from the administration of Donald Trump, who had referenced “massacres” and the “unlawful seizure” of property. President Trump had previously voiced his disapproval of South Africa’s membership within the G20 framework. These underlying disagreements clearly contributed to the strained atmosphere surrounding the summit.

Russia’s representation at the summit was handled by Maxim Oreshkin, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, as President Putin was unable to attend due to an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly criticized the American government’s decision to abstain from the high-level meeting. The resulting declaration strongly emphasized the priorities of the Global South, specifically addressing climate change, debt sustainability, and ensuring an equitable energy transition. Furthermore, the 17-section document formally welcomed the African Union as a full member of the G20, underscoring the necessity of amplifying Africa’s voice in global governance structures.

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced serious concerns, suggesting that the G20 might be “reaching the end of its cycle” if member states fail to effectively resolve major international crises. Beyond the plenary sessions, several bilateral discussions took place. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Ramaphosa, focusing their talks on investment opportunities and the supply of critical minerals. Bilateral trade between India and South Africa reached an impressive 18 billion US dollars during the fiscal year concluding in March 2025. Modi also participated in a meeting of IBSA leaders (India, Brazil, South Africa) alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where calls were made for fundamental alterations to the existing global economic architecture.

Maxim Oreshkin, leading the Russian delegation, highlighted the increasing fragmentation of the world economy, attributing it to unilateral actions such as sanctions and technology restrictions. Nevertheless, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed optimism, suggesting that global progress on various fronts remains achievable even without the direct involvement of the United States. South Africa’s tenure as G20 President concluded on November 30, 2025, passing the baton to the United States, which is slated to host the 2026 summit in Florida. The Johannesburg meeting firmly cemented a shift in the G20’s focus toward the challenges facing Africa and the Global South, which stands as the defining legacy of South Africa’s presidency.