Overview
- Leaders adopted a 122-point declaration at the start of the Johannesburg summit without U.S. endorsement, with Argentina not signing on.
- The United States boycotted the gathering and several major leaders were absent, highlighting strains in the forum’s consensus model.
- The declaration elevates debt relief, larger climate and adaptation finance—estimated by one account at $5.9 trillion—and plans to keep more value from critical minerals in producer countries.
- South Africa formally handed the presidency to the United States through late 2026, leaving implementation of debt and reform pledges to a chair with different priorities and a slow-moving Common Framework.
- South African officials say they expect to be barred from G20 meetings under the U.S. presidency and that Washington could push to replace them, a report that remains unconfirmed and would face legal and procedural obstacles.