The first G20 summit ever held on African soil commenced in Johannesburg on Saturday 22nd November 2025, marked by a significant diplomatic absence. US President Donald Trump boycotted the talks, creating a notable rift as world leaders gathered to address pressing global economic challenges.
Starmer's Call for Collective Action
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used the platform to champion international cooperation, defending his decision to attend the summit just days before a difficult UK budget. He emphasised the bloc's "critical" importance in the current global climate.
"The role of the G20 is critical at this moment," Sir Keir stated. "Growth must be a mission for us all to embrace as the means to improve lives, fund public services and to keep our people secure."
He urged fellow leaders to unite behind a "five-point plan for growth that leaves no one behind," recalling the G20's past successes in fixing fundamental problems within the global economy.
US Boycott and Agenda Clash
The Trump administration's opposition to the summit was long-standing. The US had made its position clear earlier in the year when South Africa, as the holder of the rotating G20 presidency, began setting the agenda.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped a foreign ministers meeting in February, signalling the administration's refusal to spend American taxpayers' money on an agenda it deemed overly focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate change.
An Unprecedented Start
In a break from tradition, the G20 leaders adopted a declaration at the very start of their two-day summit, a move that occurred despite US opposition.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed that a leaders' declaration was adopted unanimously in Johannesburg. "Normally the adoption of the declaration happens right at the end," Mr Magwenya said. "But... there was a sense that we should actually move to have the summit declaration adopted first as the first order of the day."
While the specific contents of the declaration were not immediately detailed, South Africa promoted its early adoption as a significant victory for the summit, which aims to tackle issues afflicting the world's poorest nations.
The G20, formed in 1999 as a bridge between rich and poor nations, represents a formidable force, accounting for around 85% of the world's economy, 75% of international trade, and more than half the global population.
