The 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit commenced in Johannesburg with world leaders from over 40 countries, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Presidents Emmanuel Macron of France, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in attendance. However, the summit was notably marked by the absence of US President Donald Trump, whose government cited disagreements with South Africa’s summit priorities as the reason for not attending.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the summit by reaffirming the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges stemming from escalating geopolitical tensions, climate change, and economic instability. Despite the US boycott, Russia and China sent delegations, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang representing Beijing. The US absence echoed Trump's unilateral 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine, which has drawn skepticism and pushback from European leaders such as Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who stressed the need for a consensus-based approach involving NATO allies.

Climate discussions also cast a shadow on the summit following a deadlock at the concurrent COP30 negotiations in Brazil. Petro-states resisted language calling for fossil fuel phase-out, leading to extensions of talks beyond scheduled deadlines. South Africa, emphasizing climate action and sustainable development as central themes under this year’s presidency, sought to highlight the value of cooperation despite these challenges.

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A joint G20 leaders’ declaration was adopted early in the summit, underscoring commitments to solidarity, equality, and sustainability. Addressing the US absence, Ramaphosa signaled his intention to symbolically pass the G20 presidency to an empty chair, underscoring the strain in global cooperation. Efforts continue behind the scenes to unify members on critical issues such as debt sustainability for developing countries, energy transitions, and economic recovery post-pandemic.

As the first G20 summit held in Africa, the gathering highlights both the continent’s emerging geopolitical significance and the fragmented global order. The summit’s outcomes will be closely scrutinized for their ability to bridge divides, especially on urgent issues like the war in Ukraine and accelerating climate initiatives in the face of persistent international disagreements.

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