G20 summit boycotted by the United States ends in South Africa

The G20 summit, where the world’s major economies gathered in South Africa, ended with a joint statement committed to “multilateral cooperation.”

The declaration, which covers climate change mitigation and economic inequality, was adopted despite opposition from the United States, which boycotted the Johannesburg conference.

Speaking at Sunday’s closing ceremony, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the agreement showed “common goals” outweighed differences between the two countries.

US President Trump chose to withdraw from the G20 summit because of Claims that South Africa’s white minority were victims of mass killings and land grabs have been widely questioned.

This is the first time that the G20 summit is held in Africa. Indonesia, India and Brazil have led the way at the summit over the past three years.

The United States will host the G20 Summit in 2026, which is expected to be held at the Trump Golf Course in Florida.

The handover ceremony for the chairmanship that was scheduled to take place at the end of the summit on Sunday did not take place.

It is expected to take place next week and will involve junior officials.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Trump’s absence “doesn’t matter” and added that multilateralism was “more alive than ever”.

German Chancellor Frederic Merz said the US abstention was not a “good decision”.

He told Reuters that what he pointed out at the G20 was that “the world is currently undergoing adjustments and new connections are being formed.”

Delegates also agreed on efforts to achieve a “just, comprehensive and lasting peace” in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the “occupied Palestinian territories.”

Sudanese commentator and journalist Saeed Abdullah said Sudan’s inclusion was significant.

“I think for the first time in more than two years, the G20 has brought the conflict in Sudan[to the forefront],” he told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.