Johannesburg: Resistance to the US boycott and the unanimous adoption of the Leaders' Declaration marked the first G20 Summit on African soil, in Johannesburg, South Africa, conferring dignity and power to the continent on the global stage.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the collective recognition that the summit was historic is not because it was the first in Africa, but because it reoriented global priorities, as stated by the South African Head of State and outgoing G20 president, Cyril Ramaphosa. In addition to the Leaders' Declaration, the group of the world's largest economies concluded what became known as the 'G20@20 Review', which summarizes 20 years of achievements and challenges.
Ramaphosa highlighted in his closing speech that the agreement reached in Johannesburg on the declaration demonstrates the value of the G20 as a forum that can facilitate joint action on issues of common interest. He emphasized a commitment to concrete actions that aim to improve global living conditions. More than that, world leaders renewed their commitment to multilateral cooperation and the recognition that common goals outweigh differences.
Regarding these differences, South African media pointed out that the presidency faced global political fractures, particularly the US boycott during key moments of the preparatory process. This was overcome by a spirit of unity and ambition for development. The prevailing opinion is that South Africa reshaped the character of the forum, resumed its focus on development, and centered its agenda on the priorities of Africa and the Global South.
The 20th G20 Summit was attended by notable figures including the Angolan Head of State, Joo Louren§o, in his role as chairperson of the African Union (AU), as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ant³nio Guterres, among other world leaders. The agenda addressed issues affecting the Global South, such as global finance, reforms of international financial institutions, inclusion and external debt, and financing for development.
One significant aspect was the recommendations from the Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality Panel, particularly the first official G20 document on global inequality. The meeting was also marked by South Africa's failure to hand over the G20 presidency gavel to the US, due to strained diplomatic relations, evidenced by the US absence.
The African Union, with permanent status since the September 2023 Summit in India, aims to emphasize Africa's voice in influencing key decisions on the G20 agenda. South Africa's G20 presidency began on December 1, 2024, and concluded with this summit, where it was intended to hand the gavel to the US, under Donald Trump, who was neither present nor represented.
The first G20 summit was held in Washington in November 2008, with subsequent summits in various cities worldwide, including London, Pittsburgh, and Toronto, among others, leading up to the recent summit in Johannesburg.
