The G20 summit taking place in South Africa came to an end on Sunday. This was a remarkable historic milestone, as it was the first time that the summit convened on African soil. Delegates reached historic consensus on a range of pressing global issues, despite no-show American President Donald Trump. He decided at the last minute not to attend the summit after making inflammatory comments on the role of South Africa’s white minority. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa underlined the significance of the agreements by highlighting how “mutual objectives…cross borders” were more powerful than national divides.
Trump’s decision to boycott stemmed from a widely discredited assertion that South Africa’s white minority faces large-scale killings and land grabs. His absence was definitely felt during the summit, where leaders from around the world converged to advocate for action on the world’s most urgent international issues. By Andrew Schwartz and Laura Rodriguez The US is already slated to host the G20 in 2026. It’ll be held at Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, NJ.
During the summit, delegates reached a consensus on working towards “just, comprehensive, and lasting peace” in multiple regions, including Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the “Occupied Palestinian Territory.” This united pledge emphasizes the pressing need for multilateral action, more essential than ever in tackling today’s global challenges.
Even Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was on record saying that Trump’s absence “didn’t matter much.” He noted that the camaraderie and willingness to collaborate between the competing countries continues to thrive. He expressed hope that other forms of governance, such as multilateralism, were “more alive than ever,” mirroring the tremendous energy around global governance despite individual country retreats.
Come the ratification vote, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz blasted Trump’s decision to abstain. He added that it was not a “good decision” for the United States. Yet, this sentiment reflects a developing alarm on the part of many world leaders about the dangers that come with withdrawing from international dialogue.
Handing over the G20 presidency usually takes place at the close of each summit. This time it didn’t happen thanks to the US leader’s conspicuous absence. Indonesia, India and Brazil have done a stellar job of steering the summit’s agenda over the last three years. Instead, they’ve made a priority of building a broad base of multilateral cooperation.
The declaration adopted at this summit proceeded despite objections from the US, showcasing a commitment to collaborative efforts among other nations. As world leaders continue to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, the outcomes of this summit may set a precedent for future discussions.