“Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”

 By Fortune Madondo

Introduction

For the first time in the history of the G20, a G20 summit has been held in Africa, in South Africa. The first time, under the African presidency of the forum. And commendably, South Africa did prepare and tabulate an agenda later forming a declaration of the summit, an agenda focused on helping developing economies of Africa and the Global South adapt to the climate crisis, transition to clean energy and cut excessive debt. Now that the concerns of Africa and the Global South formed much of the G20 declaration, maybe, maybe Africa and the Global South may, in one way or another, see the declaration manifest in positive, pro-Africa and Global South practical policy action and interventions.

Theme

Held in Johannesburg, South Africa, between the 22 to 23rd of November 2025 under the theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” No doubt, the theme had with it Africa and Global South yearnings. Solidarity refers to “cooperation across diverse economies “. Equality, all about “promoting fair opportunities between and within countries”. And sustainability points to a “long-term development that does not compromise the future,”. Indeed, no doubt the theme had Africa and the Global South in mind.

First Time

This summit was unique and historical for a number of reasons. This was the first G20 summit to be held on the African continent under the presidency of an African country (South Africa). South Africa had assumed the G20 presidency from December 1, 2024, to November 2025, becoming the first African country to chair the forum. It was the first G20 summit in which present nations agreed to a declaration at the start of a meeting rather than on its conclusion. It was the first time in the history of the G20 summit that the next leader to take the presidency of the rotating chairmanship was absent. It was the first time that the United States of America (U.S) boycotted this summit of the world’s largest economies.

What is G20?

G20 stands for “Group of Twenty”.The G20 brings together the countries with the largest economies in the world. It is a forum for the world’s major economies, both developed and developing, to discuss global economic and financial challenges. The forum defines itself as the main forum for international economic cooperation. This forum annually meets to discuss economic, political and social initiatives. Formed in 1999 as a response to the Asian financial crisis.

The G20 is a forum of the largest economies in the world that meets regularly to discuss the most pressing issues facing the global economy. G20 consists of nineteen (19) countries and two regional bodies, the current members are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus the African Union and European Union.

G20 Johannesburg Summit, 2025

The 2025 G20 Johannesburg summit was the twentieth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20), a Heads of State and Government meeting held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 22nd–23rd of November 2025. It was the first G20 summit to take place on the African continent.

South Africa Puts Africa & Global South At Heart of G20 Agenda

The G20 Presidency is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy. Since South Africa assumed the presidency of the forum in 2024. South Africa was responsible for preparing the Agenda for the Johannesburg summit 2025.

“South Africa has used this presidency to place the priorities of Africa and the Global South firmly at the heart of the G20 agenda”, Ramaphosa said.

The United Nations Secretary General even took note and commented on the effort made by South Africa to put Africa and the Global South’s needs at the heart of the G20 agenda.

“But I think South Africa has done its part in putting those things clearly upon the table.”,  United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, before the summit.

A Complicated Global Environment

No doubt, the G20 Johannesburg 2025 summit was held under a backdrop of global, political, economic and diplomatic difficulties. The global environment was /is complicated by several factors. Wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Actions of the US and some of its allies to undermine the international community’s efforts to address the intertwined challenges of climate, biodiversity, energy, poverty, inequality, food insecurity, debt, technology and development.Trade wars initiated by President Donald Trump of (U.S by imposing tariffs on trading partners. Therefore, getting a diverse membership of the G20 was no stroll in the park. It involved South Africa organising more than 130 meetings of G20 working groups, task forces and ministerial meetings, in addition to the leaders’ summit. All this to end in a 120 paragraph Leaders Declaration covering all issues embodying and embracing the “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” theme that South Africa had chosen for the G20 agenda. A closer analysis shows that South Africa prepared the agenda with the needs, concerns, and yearnings of Africa and the Global South in mind.

Conspicuously Absent

(U.S) President Donald Trump had earlier said that;

“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa. No (U.S) government official will attend as long as these human rights abuses continue. I look forward to hosting the 2026 G20 in Miami, Florida !”, Trump said

President Donald Trump boycotted the summit over unsubstantiated allegations of “white genocide” in South Africa, accusing Pretoria of discriminating against and even allowing the killing of white Afrikaners. (U.S) Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also on record for denouncing this year’s G-20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” for promoting what he referred to as “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives.

Many observers have pointed out that the absence of (U.S weakened any meaningful consensus, especially so when the most powerful economy and political power in the form of U U.S. was absent, with many questioning whether South Africa will manage to reach its aims without the presence of the world’s wealthiest nation?

However, Professor Richard Calland, from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, thinks it is possible.

“I think that people who are serious-minded in their analysis will not attach much weight to [the US’ absence“, Calland comments.

“Ironically, the absence of President Trump may create more space for real consensus, because people won’t be constantly looking over their shoulder at him and trying to anticipate or navigate his conduct and his positioning”, Prof Calland reiterates.

Prof Calland adds that the absence of the U.S may enable middle powers to step up and push for the reforms they want, and in this case, South Africa pushed the concerns of Africa and the Global South, enabling the leaders to make a declaration, though not binding.

The U.S had also told the South Africans that they should not issue a joint declaration at the summit’s close, and that if they issued something, it should only be called a “chair’s statement.” However, Ramaphosa, who said ahead of the event,

“we will not be bullied”,

went ahead and announced at the meeting’s opening on Saturday that consensus had been reached, and a joint statement was issued without the input of the (U.S). This did not go well with President Trump, for it contained the kind of (DEI) language disliked by the Trump administration, stressing the threat of climate change, the importance of achieving “gender equality”, and the debt burden faced by poorer countries (Africa in particular & Global South in general). While G20 declarations are not binding, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly criticised the move, accusing Ramaphosa of “refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency”  and said President Trump looked forward to  “restoring legitimacy”  to the group next year, probably when the G20 summit will be held in Florida.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa was upbeat, saying South Africa had used the summit to put

“The Global South at the heart of the agenda”

and,

“prioritised the issues that matter most to developing economies”.

The 120 paragraph Leaders’ Declaration  issues included:

1. debt and access to affordable, sustainable finance

2. Financing for a just energy transition

3. critical minerals

4. inequality

5. A second phase for the Compact with Africa. The first phase was launched in 2017 during Germany’s G20 presidency and provided a framework for Africa’s engagement with its development partners.

6. Illicit financial flows.

7. inclusive growth.

For Africa.

1. The recent G20 summit prioritised African and Global South concerns. It did try to bring more visibility to the challenges faced by Africa and the Global South.

2. The G20 members committed to working towards a fairer international financial system and addressed the unmanageable debt burden of low- and middle-income countries.

3. G20 Leaders pledged to work on climate resilience, scale up adaptation, and increase financing for climate-related projects.

4. The summit declaration endorsed “Ubuntu Approaches” to nutrition and price stability, supporting smallholder farmers and acknowledging volatile food prices. All for the purpose of boosting food security.

5. The G20 leaders called for lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Ukraine.

6. G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter.

Nothing much to look for in Africa.

1. These G20 declarations are non-binding and did not include specific, legally binding financial commitments from member states for projects in Africa and the Global South.

2. Did not guarantee a shift in the global economic system. The G20 summit did not guarantee or offer guarantees that the discussions would result in a fundamental shift in the existing global economy for the benefit of Africa and the Global South.

3. Commentators criticised the Summit language towards climate change as weak and lacking concrete targets for reducing emissions. So it’s very difficult to fathom how Africa and the Global South would benefit from tackling climate change issues.

4. Consensus did suffer at this summit. The U.S boycotted the summit, and Argentina did not subscribe to the declaration. Without consensus, it seems nothing much positive is going to come the way of Africa and the Global South…it’s more likely business as usual, unfair, unequal and unsustainable economic systems for Africa and the Global South.

Conclusion

The G20 2025 summit in Johannesburg did not achieve concrete, legally binding commitments from all G20 member states for Africa, but it did result in a declaration with a flavour and a focus on African and Global South concerns. Such developmental concerns include, but are not limited to, debt relief, sustainable development, and climate finance. The declaration reaffirmed its support for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the  Sudan, etc. However, the declaration was weakened by the absence of the U.S. With Trump spokesperson talking of “restoring legitimacy” for the G20 next year, 2026, it may mean the “solidarity, equality & sustainability” agenda will or may be unravelled. Nonetheless, the South Africa G20, 2025 Johannesburg summit did signal a shift toward greater inclusion of developing nations’ interests. Whether this will reflect in tangible policies, actions and interventions, Africa and the Global South await.

F. Madondo (African Teacher) fortmada123@gmail.com