The 2025 G20 Summit marks a historic milestone as the first-ever gathering of this scale on African soil, hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg from November 22–23 at the Nasrec Expo Centre. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the event emphasizes inclusive economic growth, debt relief for low-income nations, climate finance, and amplifying the Global South’s voice in global governance. South Africa, which assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, has prioritized Africa’s development agenda, building on the African Union’s full membership since 2023.
Over 130 preparatory meetings have shaped the draft Johannesburg Declaration, focusing on food security, AI governance, and just energy transitions.
The summit convenes leaders from the 19 G20 member countries (plus the EU and AU), with 22 guest nations invited to broaden representation. Despite geopolitical tensions, it’s poised to address pressing issues like sustainable development and multilateral cooperation ahead of the UN’s 2030 Agenda deadline. South Africa’s R691 million (about $38.7 million USD) investment underscores its commitment to a “people-centered” presidency.
Key Arrivals and Delegations
Several prominent leaders have already touched down in Johannesburg, signaling strong international engagement despite some high-profile absences:
China: Premier Li Qiang arrived to represent President Xi Jinping, emphasizing bilateral ties and shared priorities on development and trade.
Vietnam: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính is attending, highlighting Southeast Asia’s growing role in G20 dialogues on inequality and sustainability.
Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is present, focusing on climate resilience and Indo-Pacific economic cooperation.
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the summit on November 21, aligning India’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One Earth, One Family, One Future) vision with South Africa’s theme. He plans to advocate for Global South reforms.
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in attendance, prioritizing post-Brexit trade links and green energy initiatives.
Other notable participants include:
European Union: European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on November 20 for bilateral talks.
Indonesia: Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, standing in for President Prabowo Subianto, to deliver Indonesia’s stance on global priorities.
Egypt: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as 2025 chair of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Spain: As a perennial guest, represented at a high level.
Notable Absences and Diplomatic Tensions
The summit is shadowed by two significant non-attendances, reflecting broader geopolitical frictions:
United States: President Donald Trump announced a full boycott of official talks earlier this month, citing unsubstantiated claims of “persecution” against white Afrikaner farmers in South Africa, including alleged land confiscations and violence—accusations repeatedly debunked by the South African government. Trump initially planned to send Vice President JD Vance but reversed course, calling the hosting a “total disgrace” and even suggesting South Africa’s expulsion from the G20. This leaves the world’s largest economy unrepresented by its head of state, with no U.S. officials confirmed for substantive participation. However, on November 20, South African President Ramaphosa indicated the U.S. had signaled a potential “change of mind” for limited, ceremonial involvement, though the White House dismissed reports of attendance as “fake news.” The boycott risks stalling consensus on key documents, as U.S. objections have already vetoed terms like “energy transition” in preparatory drafts. Ramaphosa quipped he wouldn’t hand over the presidency to an “empty chair” when the U.S. assumes it on December 1.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin will not attend due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant stemming from alleged war crimes in Ukraine, which South Africa (an ICC member) is legally bound to enforce. Instead, Russia is sending a high-level deputy delegation led by Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidential Executive Office. The team includes Kremlin aides Denis Agafonov and G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash, plus Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin and Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov. Oreshkin arrived in Johannesburg on November 21 to ensure Russia’s voice on economic stability and multipolar governance.
Additional absences include Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, further thinning representation from major economies.
What to Watch For
Agenda Highlights: Expect debates on debt sustainability, climate adaptation funding (especially for Africa), and AI ethics. Side events include the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit on November 21 at Sandton Convention Centre, targeting AIDS, TB, and malaria eradication.
Outcomes: A consensus declaration is anticipated, though U.S. and Russian absences may dilute enforceability. South Africa aims for tangible deliverables, like accountability mechanisms for past G20 pledges.
Broader Impact: As the handoff to a U.S.-hosted 2026 summit in Florida looms, this event tests multilateralism amid rising protectionism. Optimism persists for Africa’s amplified role, with Ramaphosa framing it as a “Better Africa, Better World.”