South Africa Scores Diplomatic Win but G20 Declaration Lacks Clout

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media at the G20 Summit in South Africa.

US President Donald Trump’s attempt to derail the G20 summit in Johannesburg failed. He boycotted the meeting and reportedly urged other countries not to sign the communiqué. Nevertheless, the remaining 19 countries and regional organisations signed a 30-page declaration.

The declaration addressed issues including renewable energy funding, equitable critical mineral supply chains, and debt relief for poorer nations. Senior research fellow Danny Bradlow highlighted both the successes and limitations of South Africa’s G20 presidency.

Diplomatic Successes

South Africa achieved three key successes during its G20 year:

Despite US opposition, it led the G20 countries to adopt a leaders’ declaration by consensus, covering topics such as debt, finance, energy transition, critical minerals, inequality, and inclusive growth.

It launched initiatives supporting Africa’s engagement with the G20, addressing illicit financial flows, infrastructure, air quality, AI, sustainable development, and public health.

The Ubuntu Legacy Initiative was established to fund cross-border infrastructure and promote cooperative research and dialogue under the principle of ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ – a person is a person through other people.

South Africa also efficiently coordinated more than 130 meetings of working groups, task forces, and ministerial sessions, culminating in the leaders’ summit.

Limitations of the Declaration

Despite these successes, the declaration largely contains general statements lacking concrete commitments, timelines, or deliverables. Challenges such as ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, US trade wars, and contrasting member-state priorities limited the agreement’s impact.

Next Steps for Action

Bradlow suggests three ways to convert the declaration into meaningful action:

African leaders could form a regional borrowers’ forum to share experiences with creditors and coordinate development finance strategies.

African non-state actors should hold leaders and creditors accountable for implementing commitments.

A review of IMF operations is needed to translate governance reforms into practical measures addressing climate, gender, and inequality impacts.

While South Africa’s G20 presidency represents a diplomatic victory, the real test lies in turning the leaders’ pledges into tangible outcomes for Africa and the wider Global South.