G20 Johannesburg summit adopts declaration despite U.S. boycott

South Africa’s G20 Summit adopted a 122-point declaration promoting multilateralism, inclusive growth, and support for developing countries—despite the United States boycotting the event. Washington says it will reject any G20 outcome presented as consensus without its participation.

Relations between the U.S. and South Africa have deteriorated due to South Africa’s land reform law, its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and U.S. actions such as freezing aid, expelling South Africa’s ambassador, and imposing a 30% tariff on South African goods.

Ahead of the summit, the U.S. sent a letter saying it would only accept a “chair’s statement,” but South Africa insisted the U.S.’s absence cannot undermine the declaration. South African officials said they will not allow “coercion by absentia” or breaches of protocol, including the U.S. sending only a junior envoy for the upcoming G20 presidency handover.

South African leaders praised the declaration as a victory for Africa and a sign that multilateralism and a multipolar world are strengthening. South Africa is the first African country to hold the G20 presidency, which it will hand over to the U.S. in December 2025, but only through proper protocol.

Credit : CGTN