This past weekend, the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, wasn’t just another global gathering – it was a historic event packed with unprecedented twists. Not only was it the first G20 ever held on the African continent, but it also saw a major player, the United States, boycott the proceedings.
The Trump administration skipped the summit, citing false claims about land confiscation in South Africa and a strong dislike for the summit’s “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) agenda. This created quite a stir, but South Africa wasn’t swayed.
In a bold move, the host nation refused to be bullied. They reached an agreement for a joint declaration *at the start* of the meeting, a stark departure from the usual practice. This declaration, which emphasized climate change, gender equality, and debt relief for poorer nations (all themes the US objected to), was a clear win for multilateralism and developing economies.
Then came the ceremonial closing. Traditionally, the host leader hands a gavel to the incoming G20 president. But with the US President absent, and South Africa refusing a request to hand it to a junior official, the usual protocol was, well, ignored. “A breach of protocol,” South Africa’s spokesperson stated, “it was never going to happen for the first time here.” The handover will now happen between officials of similar rank later.
Despite Washington’s attempts to derail the event, South African officials hailed the summit as a “great success” for their country, effectively putting the “Global South at the heart of the agenda.” While divisions were still apparent, South Africa’s firm stance showcased a powerful display of diplomatic resilience and leadership on the world stage. Next year, the G20 presidency moves to the United States, promising another interesting chapter.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/23/nx-s1-5616430/g20-summit-ends-south-africa-trump-ramaphosa
