G20 Summit in South Africa Concludes Amid US Boycott

Mon Nov 24 2025 11:02:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The G20 summit held in South Africa has concluded with a joint declaration focusing on multilateral cooperation, despite the boycott from the US due to controversial claims regarding the country's status.

The G20 summit in Johannesburg concluded with a commitment to multilateral cooperation, even as the United States abstained from participation. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of shared goals among nations despite divergent views, as discussions included climate change and economic inequality. The absence of US President Donald Trump was marked by his refusal to attend, citing discredited claims about the situation of South Africa's white minority. Other leaders emphasized the vibrancy of multilateralism and a collaborative path forward, particularly in regard to conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan.

The G20 summit in South Africa, a gathering of the world's major economies, has ended with a joint declaration committing to multilateral co-operation.

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 on Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the agreement showed shared goals outweighed the countries' differences.

American President Donald Trump chose to abstain from the G20 because of a widely discredited claim that South Africa's white minority is the victim of large-scale killings and land grabs.

It was the first time a G20 summit was held in Africa. Indonesia, India and Brazil have led the summit over the past three years.

The US will host the G20 in 2026, with the summit expected to be held at Trump's golf course in Florida.

The ceremonial handover of the presidency which was meant to happen at the end of the summit on Sunday did not take place. It is expected to take place next week, involving junior officials.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said it didn't matter much that Trump had not attended, adding that multilateralism was more alive than ever.

German Chancellor Fredriech Merz stated that it had not been a good decision for the US to abstain. He noted the realignment of the world and formation of new connections during the G20 discussions.

Delegates also reached consensus on working towards just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in conflict hubs, including Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The inclusion of Sudan in discussions was highlighted by Sudanese journalist Saeed Abdalla, who noted the significance of bringing the Sudan conflict to the forefront after two years.