South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 with the stated intention of advocating for issues relevant to developing nations. Objectives for the summit included making borrowing cheaper for developing countries, securing financing for climate change initiatives, increasing the participation of African countries in multilateral forums, and ensuring optimal value from critical minerals.
Discussions surrounding the meeting have included the non-attendance of certain world leaders. US President Donald Trump announced his decision not to attend, citing claims concerning large-scale killings and land grabs affecting South Africa's white minority. The relationship between the US and South Africa has been characterized by strain, with previous US actions including the expulsion of the South African ambassador, reductions in aid funding, and the imposition of 30% tariffs on South African goods. While the US initially stated no representatives would attend, it subsequently announced that a small team of in-country diplomats would be present at the handover ceremony, but would not participate in discussions.
Pretoria's government has denied claims of a white genocide and affirmed that the summit would proceed. Other leaders not attending include China's Xi Jinping (represented by Premier Li Qiang), Russia's Vladimir Putin (due to an International Criminal Court warrant), Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, and Argentina's Javier Milei. Unlike the US, these countries are sending senior delegations to represent their interests. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated that the absence of heads of state is not uncommon and that decisions would be made by the countries in attendance.
Professor Richard Calland, from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, suggested that the absence of the US President might create more space for consensus among other nations. Mr. Lamola echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the goal of adopting a leaders' declaration, which encapsulates agreements on global economic matters throughout the year. France, the UK, and the European Union have expressed support for South Africa's G20 presidency. The EU and South Africa signed an agreement to boost the extraction and domestic processing of critical minerals within South Africa, an initiative aligned with South Africa's economic development goals.
As the last G20 country from the global south to host the gathering in this cycle (following Indonesia, India, and Brazil), South Africa aims to bridge the developmental divide between the global North and South, promoting equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. The presidency takes place within a broader discourse on the effectiveness of multilateral institutions in addressing global challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts, and technological advancements. Arguments include that issues like reducing borrowing costs for poorer countries necessitate international institutional involvement rather than solely bilateral agreements. If a joint declaration is issued, it would demonstrate that consensus can be reached within the G20 framework despite the non-participation of all member leaders.