In a historic move for global cooperation, the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg adopted a 122-point declaration championing multilateralism and equitable governance – despite a high-profile U.S. boycott. 🚀 South African officials hailed the agreement as a "revolution" for Global South representation in world affairs.
"The world is embracing collaboration," declared President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, as leaders endorsed measures to boost sustainable development and support emerging economies. 💡 The declaration notably prioritizes climate resilience and digital infrastructure investments across Africa.
Tensions between Washington and Pretoria reached new heights this year, with the U.S. imposing 30% tariffs on South African goods and recalling its ambassador. 🔥 The rift deepened after South Africa's December 2023 genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
While U.S. officials skipped the summit entirely, South Africa stood firm: "We won't be bullied into protocol breaches," stated DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri. The presidency handover to America in December 2025 now faces uncertainty, with Pretoria refusing to transfer power to junior U.S. diplomats. ⚖️
Analysts call this a watershed moment: "Africa's voice has been amplified," said University of Witwatersrand expert Frank Lekaba. With 72% of summit commitments targeting food security and renewable energy, the declaration could reshape South-South cooperation. 🌱
