South Africa, Backed by Brazil and Others, Continues to Push for Full G-20 Communiqué
The United States has warned South Africa not to issue a joint declaration at the upcoming G-20 summit, stating it will reject any purported consensus as it accuses South Africa of boycotting the event. Despite this, South Africa, with support from Brazil and other nations, is pressing for a full declaration.
As the G-20 summit scheduled for November 22-23, 2025, in Johannesburg approaches, diplomatic tensions have risen over the stance of the United States, which has threatened to refuse endorsement of any joint communique from the meeting.
Washington’s warning appears to be a response to what it perceives as South Africa’s boycott of the event, a position stemming from disagreements over political issues, including South Africa’s criticisms of U.S. policies.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who oversees the G-20 presidency this year, has reaffirmed his commitment to holding the summit as planned, stressing that diplomatic dialogue will continue despite the U.S. posture.
Ramaphosa emphasized that the boycott strategy will not achieve results since the summit is intended to address global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and economic inequality.
South Africa’s push for a comprehensive communiqué has also gained the backing of Brazil and several other emerging economies, reflecting a broader bloc favoring inclusive multilateral decision-making.
The diplomatic standoff highlights fractures within the G-20, where differing geopolitical and economic interests complicate consensus-building efforts, especially amid ongoing global challenges.
Observers note that the summit’s outcome could influence future global governance cooperation and international economic policies, with significant implications for developing nations.
Preparations for the summit continue amid uncertainty about U.S. participation and the potential impact on discussions and agreements.
