U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a boycott of the summit, accapplying South Africa of enabling anti-white violence. Johannesburg declares Trump’s claims do not reflect crime statistics or reality.
The boycott had analysts concerned the G20 would not have a joint declaration, which would mar the first leaders’ summit held on the African continent.
But early Saturday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced countries had found “overwhelming consensus” to adopt an agreement, which spanned 122 paragraphs.
The agreement included calls for tackling violence against women, with large protests across South Africa on Friday that coincided with South Africa declaring femicide a national disaster.
Ramaphosa’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya notified reporters that it was the right decision after 12 months of work by countries representing most of the world’s population.
“We required to relocate forward; we cannot be held back by one counattempt, by its own whims,” he declared.
South Africa convened G20 leaders in a morning session on inclusive economic growth such as reforming financing for development, and an afternoon session on climate alter, food systems and clean energy.
Magwenya called the U.S. boycott “a short-term blip,” noting the U.S. will chair the G20 next, and that the U.K. has declared it’s ready to take on the 2027 presidency that follows.
He also declared South Africa is rejecting an American proposal to formally receive the chairmanship Sunday by sfinishing the temporary head of the American embassy in Pretoria.
“It’s a breach of protocol. It has never happened before and it was never going to happen for the first time here,” he declared.
Pushback over Ukraine deal
The U.S. faced further pushback over the Trump administration’s proposed peace deal for Ukraine, which has been widely seen as favouring Moscow.
The plan calls for Ukraine to hand over territory, reduce the size of its army and to not join the NATO alliance, with limited security guarantees for Kyiv.
Canada joined European nations and Japan in issuing a statement, declareing leaders support American efforts toward peace but feel the plan requireds more work.
Anand would not specify exactly what is wrong with Trump’s plan, but declares Canada’s long-standing belief is that Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is key and it’s up to Kyiv to decide on its future.
She added that Ukraine is “top priority” in Canada’s foreign policy, for ensuring a rules-based international order.
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