The world watched closely as the Group of 20 (G20) summit unfolded in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 and 23, 2025. It was a historic moment: the first time this influential gathering of global economic powers convened on African soil. Yet, what might have been a straightforward celebration of multilateralism quickly became a showcase for diplomatic drama, political snubs, and a sharp debate over the summit’s priorities and principles.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as host, declared at the summit’s closing ceremony that the leaders’ joint declaration reflected a "renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation," even in the face of high-profile absences and pointed objections. According to Al Jazeera, Ramaphosa emphasized that the declaration was more than just words—it was a commitment to concrete actions aimed at improving lives across the globe. "The shared goals outweigh our differences," he told assembled leaders, stressing unity amid discord.
But unity was hardly the prevailing mood. The United States, led by President Donald Trump, boycotted the summit, citing allegations that South Africa’s Black majority government persecutes its white minority—claims that have been widely debunked by international observers and dismissed by most of the G20. The absence of the U.S., the world’s largest economy, cast a shadow over the proceedings and set the stage for a series of diplomatic tussles that would dominate headlines.
The tension reached a new high as the summit drew to a close. The U.S. was due to assume the rotating G20 presidency for 2026, but a dispute erupted over the ceremonial handover. The White House requested that its embassy’s chargé d’affaires attend the closing ceremony to receive the presidency. Ramaphosa refused, insisting that only a head of state, a special envoy, or a minister was appropriate for such a moment. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, quoted by Al Jazeera, was blunt: "It is the leaders summit. The right level is the head of state, a special envoy appointed by the president of that country or it could also be a minister." The U.S. flag stood alone in the media center, a silent symbol of America’s absence from the summit floor.
This standoff didn’t go unnoticed in Washington. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, quoted by Fox News Digital, accused Pretoria of "weaponizing their G20 presidency to undermine the G20’s founding principles." She added, "President Trump looks forward to restoring legitimacy to the G20 in the U.S.’s 2026 host year." The U.S. administration’s frustration was echoed by Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, who said Ramaphosa’s lighthearted response to rumors of a U.S. change of heart was "not appreciated by the president or his team."
Despite the diplomatic spat, the summit pressed on. Ramaphosa broke with tradition by issuing the leaders’ declaration at the start of the two-day event rather than the end. The declaration, adopted by all present except the United States and Argentina (whose president, Javier Milei, is a Trump ally and also skipped the summit), focused on issues such as climate change, global wealth inequality, and the need for financial support for poor countries grappling with climate disasters. According to The New York Times, the declaration included language on "just energy transitions," "climate change," and "gender equality"—terms strongly opposed by Trump officials in the lead-up to the summit.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reflecting on both the G20 and the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, praised the renewed spirit of multilateralism. "I think multilateralism will win," Lula told reporters, according to Al Jazeera. "Everyone here knows that together we will be much stronger, much more competent." Yet Lula and others acknowledged that the United States’ economic and political clout means the world cannot simply ignore Washington’s absence or its objections.
Indeed, the U.S. influence was felt even in its absence. As The New York Times reported, the summit saw urgent meetings on the sidelines to discuss an American-backed peace plan for the war in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron candidly admitted, "We are having trouble putting new compromises on the table," noting that negotiators struggled to reach consensus on issues once thought settled.
For some, the G20’s focus missed the mark entirely. South Africa’s chief rabbi, Dr. Warren Goldstein, speaking to Fox News Digital, condemned the declaration for its silence on the "continent wide jihadi war on Christians." He cited the kidnapping of more than 300 girls and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria just days before the summit. "The silence of the G-20 declaration on this and other jihadi atrocities on the continent is a moral disgrace," Goldstein said, invoking biblical language to accuse world leaders of turning a blind eye to suffering. Italy’s President Giorgia Meloni was the only leader to address Christian persecution directly, calling on Nigeria to protect all religious communities.
The final G20 declaration, released on November 23, 2025, condemned attacks against civilians and terrorism in all its forms but made no specific mention of Christian persecution. It reaffirmed the importance of human rights and fundamental freedoms "for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion." For critics like Goldstein, this was not enough.
Meanwhile, other world leaders seized the opportunity to forge new alliances and announce major deals. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa stood alongside Ramaphosa to unveil a new minerals pact and pledge billions of dollars toward renewable energy development in Africa. "We are a partner that plays by the rules," von der Leyen said, according to The New York Times. "We listen to our partners."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, another prominent attendee, told reporters that Turkey was considering joining an international stabilization force in Gaza. He repeated his charge that Israeli attacks in Gaza amounted to "genocide" and placed blame squarely on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Johannesburg summit may have ended with unresolved tensions and a cloud of controversy, but it also marked a turning point. For the first time, African nations set the G20 agenda, prioritizing the needs of the developing world and challenging the dominance of traditional powers. As Lamola put it, "The G20 should send a clear message that the world can move on with or without the U.S." Whether that message will resonate as the U.S. prepares to host the next summit at Trump’s Doral resort in Florida remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the G20’s future, and the world’s, will be shaped by how these divisions—and new alliances—play out in the years ahead.
