NEWS & POLITICS
G20 Summit in South Africa adopts joint climate statement despite U.S. boycott and global tensions
World leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg adopted a joint declaration addressing climate change and key global challenges, despite a high-profile U.S. boycott and divisions over Europe’s response to a proposed U.S. peace plan for Ukraine.
Enos Denhere
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — (Running Africa) — A spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the declaration, crafted without U.S. participation, “cannot be renegotiated,” reflecting heightened tensions with the administration of President Donald Trump.
“We have been working toward this adoption for the entire year, and the last week has been quite intense,” the spokesperson said, noting the diplomatic pressure leading up to the final agreement.
Climate Commitments Remain a Central Focus
The joint statement emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change, strengthening adaptation measures, expanding renewable energy, and easing the debt burdens facing developing economies. These elements have long been opposed by the Trump administration, which rejects the mainstream scientific consensus on human-driven global warming.
For the U.S. president, the inclusion of climate language marks a significant diplomatic setback. However, Ramaphosa praised the breakthrough, saying the agreement showed that the G20’s “shared goals” ultimately outweighed political disagreements.
U.S. Boycott Overshadows Historic African Summit
President Trump boycotted the summit entirely, citing widely debunked claims of mass killings and land seizures targeting South Africa’s white minority. His absence marked a dramatic departure from past U.S. engagement at G20 gatherings and intensified global scrutiny of Washington’s stance.
The White House criticized South Africa’s president for ‘running his mouth’ regarding the U.S. decision to skip the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters that the U.S. had suggested it might reverse its stance on the boycott
The Johannesburg meeting is historic, representing the first G20 summit ever hosted on African soil. The previous three summits were held in Indonesia, India, and Brazil, reflecting a growing shift toward more diverse global leadership.
