G20 Summit in South Africa: A Victory for Multilateralism Despite US Boycott

The G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, has come to a close, with world leaders adopting a declaration on global issues despite the absence of US President Donald Trump. The summit was marked by a diplomatic spat between South Africa and the US, with President Cyril Ramaphosa refusing to hand over the G20 presidency to a junior US embassy official.

The Trump administration boycotted the summit, citing disagreements with South Africa’s priorities, including climate change and global wealth inequality. The US had requested that a chargé d’affaires attend the handover ceremony, but Ramaphosa rejected this, saying that the US should send a representative at the right level, such as a head of state or minister

Despite the US absence, the G20 leaders adopted a declaration that calls for peace in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as safeguards on the global supply of critical minerals. The declaration also emphasizes the need for multilateral cooperation and collective action to address global challenges

Ramaphosa’s decision to refuse the handover to a junior US official was seen as a show of defiance against the US. “We cannot be held back by one country,” presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and cooperation

The G20 presidency will now pass to the US in 2026, but it’s unclear what tone the US will bring to the table. Will the US adopt a more cooperative approach, or will it continue to prioritize its own interests? One thing is certain – the world will be watching.