South Africa Advocates Multilateralism at G20 as U.S. Boycotts Key Meeting

President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for global unity and inclusion while the absence of the U.S. highlights growing geopolitical tensions.

South Africa, the first African nation to lead the G20, emphasized solidarity, equality, and sustainability during its presidency's inaugural meeting in Johannesburg.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged adherence to multilateralism and international law, citing global crises like climate change, conflicts in Ukraine, and pandemics.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotted the meeting, accusing South Africa of anti-Americanism and prioritizing diversity and climate change agendas opposed by the Trump administration.
The absence of high-level U.S. representation was seen as a symbolic snub, with experts suggesting it undermines Africa's significance in global diplomacy.
South Africa aims to use its G20 leadership to amplify the voices of developing nations, though geopolitical divisions threaten to overshadow its agenda.