G20 Leaders Adopt Declaration in Johannesburg Despite United States Boycott

The Group of 20 leaders concluded their annual summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 23, 2025, by adopting a comprehensive 122-paragraph declaration. This historic gathering marked the first time the G20 summit was hosted on the African continent. The event served as the culmination of South Africa's year-long presidency of the bloc, which began in December 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa presided over the proceedings, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation during a time of significant global challenges. The summit successfully brought together representatives from major economies to address shared international concerns. The United States was the only member nation that did not attend the summit, following a boycott by the administration of President Donald Trump. No U.S. delegation was accredited for the event, according to the South African Foreign Ministry. Despite this absence, the remaining members moved forward to finalize the summit's outcome document. The declaration was adopted without input from the U.S. government. The agenda for the Johannesburg summit focused on priorities of the Global South, including debt restructuring, food security, and funding for climate resilience. Leaders also addressed the development and regulation of artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for ethical governance and transparency. The document reaffirms a commitment to multilateralism and the belief that shared global goals outweigh individual differences. Participants also welcomed the launch of the AI for Africa initiative, which aims to harness digital technologies for regional development. The summit also addressed international tax cooperation and the need for increased global investments to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. European Union leaders played a significant role in these discussions, noting their contribution to global development aid and debt restructuring efforts. The declaration serves as a signal of continued cooperation among the participating nations. As the summit concluded, President Ramaphosa hailed the event as a success for international diplomacy. South Africa plans to officially hand over the G20 presidency to a U.S. diplomat at the Department of International Relations in the coming week. This transition marks the end of South Africa's term and prepares the bloc for the next cycle of leadership.