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South Africa Presses Ahead With G20 in Johannesburg as U.S. Boycotts

Pretoria prioritizes debt relief, climate finance as well as inequality, with sherpas racing to craft language despite the U.S. boycott.

BOKSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 18: Traditional dancers perform at the G20 Social Summit: Opening Ceremony at Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre on November 18, 2025 in Boksburg, South Africa. The G20 Social Summit brings together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including governments, civil society, labour, youth, women, persons with disabilities, philanthropy, and grassroots organisations ensuring that the lived experiences of ordinary people shape the outcomes of the G20 process.(Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images).
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Illustrative Image: Ronald Lamola. (Photo: Gallo Images / OJ Koloti) | President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu). | G20 logo. (Image: sourced / G20 website)

Overview

  • The summit is set for Nov. 21–23 at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre, with hosts saying preparations are on track and 42 countries confirmed, and with all G20 members represented except the United States.
  • Several leaders will skip in person, with China, Russia, Mexico and Argentina sending senior officials, including China’s Premier Li Qiang and Russia’s Maxim Oreshkin.
  • India confirms Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend, speak in all three formal sessions, and participate in an IBSA leaders’ meeting.
  • South Africa’s agenda under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” centers on debt relief, climate and disaster finance, just energy transitions, and a Stiglitz-backed proposal for an International Inequalities Panel.
  • Uncertainty persists over securing a unanimous leaders’ declaration, as negotiators continue efforts to land agreed language without U.S. participation, which follows President Trump’s renewed allegations rejected by South African officials and independent experts.