G20 envoys agree on draft declaration despite US boycott
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G20 envoys reach agreement on a draft summit declaration despite a boycott by the United States, as South Africa pushes forward with a climate‑focused agenda ahead of the Johannesburg meeting.
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Banners of various G20 leaders are displayed along a Johannesburg freeway in South Africa on November 20, 2025. (AP)
G20 envoys have finalized a draft declaration for the upcoming summit in Johannesburg, reaching consensus without the participation of the United States, according to four sources familiar with the discussions.
US boycotts G20 summit over host nation dispute
The administration of US President Donald Trump confirmed its boycott of the November 22–23 summit, citing opposition to South Africa’s leadership and agenda.
Trump announced that neither he nor any US officials would travel to Johannesburg for the 22–23 November meeting, arguing that South Africa should not be hosting the summit at all. He justified the boycott by repeating widely debunked allegations that white South Africans face systematic persecution.
Additionally, the US rejected South Africa's summit agenda, which emphasizes global solidarity, climate resilience, clean energy transitions, and debt relief for developing countries.
Draft declaration moves forward without US input
Despite Washington's absence, G20 "sherpas"—the lead negotiators for each member—agreed on a draft communiqué. The document reportedly includes language on climate change, an issue the US had objected to in earlier rounds of negotiation.
"It is a longstanding G20 tradition to issue only consensus deliverables, and it is shameful that the South African government is now trying to depart from this standard practice despite our repeated objections," a senior Trump administration official told Reuters.
While the contents of the draft were not disclosed in full, sources noted that concessions were likely made to secure support from all attending members.
South Africa pushes ahead with climate-focused agenda
Three of South Africa’s four top priorities for the summit—preparation for climate-induced disasters, financing clean energy transitions, and equitable access to critical minerals—center on climate change. The host nation's determination to proceed with these goals signals a challenge to Trump’s rejection of multilateral climate initiatives.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that discussions were ongoing with Washington about potential US participation, but the White House later denied any change in position. South Africa has since declined a White House offer to send a chargé d'affaires to represent the US during the G20 presidency handover.
Ramaphosa remarked he was resigned to handing over to "an empty chair", expressing disappointment over the absence of the US.
