The Group of 20 summit in South Africa, the first on the African continent, concluded with the adoption of a leaders' declaration addressing global challenges, despite a U.S. boycott and Argentina's withdrawal from negotiations.
Hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, the gathering focused on priorities for developing nations.
Envoys drafted the document without U.S. input, leading to criticism from a senior Trump administration official who called the process "shameful."
The declaration was adopted based on what South African officials described as "sufficient consensus."
The declaration emphasizes the seriousness of climate change and the need for adaptation, praising ambitious renewable energy targets.
It commits to strengthening the G20 common framework for debt treatments in a predictable manner.
The document calls for working toward comprehensive peace in conflicts including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory, and Ukraine.
It highlights how high debt levels obstruct inclusive growth in developing economies.
Additionally, it states that critical minerals should drive value-addition and broad-based development rather than mere exports.
The U.S. boycotted the summit over President Donald Trump's allegations of persecution against South Africa's white minority, claims widely discredited.
Trump also rejected the host's agenda on solidarity, clean energy transition, and debt relief for developing countries.
Argentina quit negotiations due to concerns over the document's reference to the Middle East conflict, though it affirmed commitment to G20 cooperation.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated, "This G20 is not about the U.S."
EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen warned about the "weaponisation of dependencies," seen as a reference to issues like China's rare earth export curbs.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted South Africa's role in highlighting climate and financial reform needs.
French President Emmanuel Macron regretted the U.S. absence but urged continued engagement.
The summit underscored the G20's role in bridging rich and poor nations, representing vast portions of the global economy and population.
South Africa rejected a U.S. offer to send a junior official for the presidency handover, planning instead to assign a diplomat of equivalent rank.
The event highlighted ongoing tensions, including those from Russia's war in Ukraine and COP30 negotiations in Brazil.