G20 leaders brush off US threats and adopt declaration

The G20 summit in Johannesburg successfully adopted a leaders’ declaration, overcoming resistance from the absent United States.

Reuters reported that G20 envoys drew up a draft leaders’ declaration on Friday without US input, in a surprise move that a senior White House official described as “shameful”.

The declaration marks a significant triumph for South Africa’s presidency, placing the priorities of the Global South at the centre of the international agenda.

From the outset of his opening remarks, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need for the G20 to address the pressing challenges faced by developing countries.

“We are committed to ensuring that the development priorities of Africa and the Global South are expressed within the G20,” he said during the summit’s opening session on 22 November.

Central to the agenda are issues such as climate resilience, fairer global debt arrangements, green energy transitions, and equitable access to critical mineral wealth.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, chose to boycott the summit entirely.

Washington had made clear in the months leading up to the event that it opposed any formal declaration, suggesting that a weaker Chair’s Statement could suffice instead.

The boycott and warnings cast a shadow over the proceedings, raising questions about whether a consensus could be reached without America’s participation.

Yet, Ramaphosa and his diplomatic team repeatedly stressed that the summit would not be dictated by absent or dissenting members.

“We will not be bullied,” Ramaphosa declared this week, signalling his determination to advance the host country’s agenda regardless of external pressure.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei opted not to attend, which presented another challenge.

Concerns were raised over whether his absence would weaken support for the proposed declaration, particularly regarding financial reforms and climate policies.

Despite this, Argentina’s delegation at the working level remained engaged, raising its concerns in the meetings.

What is in the declaration?

According to the President, the declaration itself reflects a strong commitment to multilateralism and a focus on the most vulnerable economies.

It calls for increased assistance to countries struggling with climate-related disasters, mechanisms to reduce foreign debt burdens, and strategies to support sustainable development and green energy transitions.

South Africa’s push for the Global South’s priorities to be central to G20 discussions represents a notable shift, highlighting the bloc’s potential to address long-standing global inequalities.

While the absence of the United States and Argentina’s top-level leadership presented obstacles, many welcomed the adoption of a declaration that underscored the urgency of tackling global economic disparities and climate crises.

French President Emmanuel Macron noted that despite absences, “our duty is to be present, engage, and work together because we have so many challenges.”

The Johannesburg summit, the first G20 meeting ever held on African soil, has now set a precedent for future host countries seeking to bring the concerns of developing nations to the fore.

The declaration not only consolidates South Africa’s year-long efforts as G20 president but also signals to the world that multilateral cooperation remains possible despite resistance and threats from the bloc’s most powerful member – the United States.

Follow Newsday as we report live from the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg.