G20 Leaders Meet in South Africa to Forge Agreement Amid US Boycott

Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies convened in Johannesburg on Saturday for a summit boycotted by the United States, as members worked to finalize a draft declaration crafted without Washington’s involvement — a move a senior White House official condemned as “shameful.”

According to four sources familiar with the negotiations, G20 envoys agreed on a draft leaders’ declaration ahead of the summit, with several key agenda items focused on climate change. The text was prepared without seeking US consensus, the sources said. One of them confirmed the draft contains language on climate action despite objections from President Donald Trump’s administration, which disputes the scientific consensus that human activity drives global warming.

Trump signaled he would skip the summit, citing widely debunked allegations that South Africa’s Black-led government persecutes its white minority. His administration has also rejected South Africa’s focus on climate solidarity, support for developing nations facing extreme weather, clean energy transitions, and relief from heavy debt burdens.

The boycott undercut President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hopes of showcasing South Africa’s leadership in multilateral diplomacy. Still, some analysts said US absence could strengthen the summit’s momentum if other members rally behind its priorities and agree on a substantive final declaration.

It remained unclear what compromises were needed to secure broad backing for the draft. The US had opposed any reference to climate or renewable energy, and some other members have historically hesitated on such language.

Three of South Africa’s four flagship agenda items — preparing for climate-driven disasters, financing green energy transitions, and ensuring fair benefits for countries supplying critical minerals — center on climate issues. The fourth focuses on expanding access to affordable financing for poorer nations.

The US is scheduled to host the G20 in 2026, but Ramaphosa noted he would be handing over the rotating presidency to an “empty chair.” South Africa has declined a White House proposal to send the US chargé d’affaires to participate in the handover.