Overview
- Participating leaders adopted an extensive declaration on the summit’s first day using a procedural device as a statement of Heads of State and Government rather than a formal G20 communiqué.
- The White House accused South Africa of obstructing the presidency handover, called the maneuver shameful, and said President Trump plans to restore the forum’s legitimacy when the U.S. hosts in 2026.
- South Africa rejected a late U.S. request for accreditation and security for a brief visit and declined to transfer the chair to a junior U.S. diplomat because Washington has no ambassador in Pretoria.
- The text concentrates on climate protection, financing for poorer countries’ climate impacts, expansion of renewable energy, and debt relief for heavily indebted nations.
- Attendance was reduced, with only 13 of 19 leaders present and China represented by Premier Li Qiang, underscoring broader strains over the meeting’s legitimacy and process.