Overview
- The White House condemned South Africa’s move to publish the text without U.S. participation, calling it shameful and accusing Pretoria of impeding the handover.
- South Africa refused an on-site transfer after Washington offered only an embassy-level representative, saying the ceremony requires head-of-state, special envoy, or minister-level attendance.
- The statement by attending leaders prioritizes holding warming to 1.5°C, reaching global carbon neutrality around 2050, accelerating renewable energy, easing debt burdens, and strengthening critical minerals supply chains.
- To navigate the U.S. boycott, the host issued the document as a “Declaration of Heads of State and Government” of those present rather than a formal G20 communique.
- With Trump absent and several leaders missing, participants both affirmed multilateral cooperation and questioned the forum’s trajectory, as the United States prepares to chair the G20 in 2026.