US Boycotts G20 Summit in South Africa: Key Takeaways

Mon Nov 24 2025 00:17:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The G20 summit in South Africa ended with a focus on climate change and peace, despite a US boycott. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to global cooperation.

The G20 summit hosted by South Africa concluded with a declaration emphasizing multilateral cooperation in tackling climate change and economic inequality. Despite a boycott from the US, the summit addressed global conflicts and highlighted the importance of partnerships. Notably, President Trump abstained due to controversial claims regarding South Africa's political climate. Future G20 events promise continued discussions on pressing world issues, with Brazil, India, and Indonesia having recently led the summit.

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.

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 said it had not been a good decision for the US to abstain. He noted that the world is currently undergoing a realignment with new connections being formed.

Delegates reached consensus on working towards just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The inclusion of Sudan is significant, marking the first time the G20 has addressed the Sudan conflict in two years.