G20 Summit in South Africa Concludes... Multilateralism Reaffirmed Amid U.S. Absence

First G20 Chair Nation from Africa
Achievements Highlighting Inequality, Debt, and Climate Change
End of the Global South Chairmanship Cycle
No Handover Ceremony for the Next Chair Nation
President Lee Heads to T?rkiye as Final Stop of

The Group of Twenty (G20) summit, held for the first time on the African continent in South Africa, concluded on November 23 (local time). On this day, national leaders and representatives gathered at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg under the theme "A Fair and Just Future for All." After the meeting, they wrapped up the two-day schedule with a closing ceremony.

Commemorative photo of the South Africa G20 Summit. President Lee Jae-myung is fourth from the right. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News Agency

Despite the unprecedented absence of the United States, the summit reaffirmed the principles of multilateralism by adopting the "G20 South Africa Leaders’ Declaration" early in the proceedings. Breaking with the usual practice of adopting the declaration at the closing session, the agreement was reached on the first day, reflecting the determination of South Africa as the host nation and the member states to directly address the U.S. boycott. Previously, the United States had boycotted the summit, citing reasons such as South Africa's alleged persecution of white citizens, and conveyed through its local embassy its opposition to any leaders’ declaration adopted without U.S. consent.

The adopted 30-page leaders’ declaration reaffirmed the spirit of multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The leaders specified in the declaration that "all member states must participate on an equal footing in accordance with their international obligations." The declaration also emphasized sustained efforts for peace in conflict regions such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, and Ukraine. Additionally, it called for action on climate change, indirectly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-environmental stance, and expressed a commitment to counter unilateral trade practices that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Brazilian, South African, and Angolan leaders holding hands during a commemorative photo. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

In his closing remarks, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated, "As Africa’s first G20 chair, we placed African and Global South issues at the forefront." He declared, "With this, the first G20 summit held in Africa officially concludes, and the chairmanship passes to the next host country, the United States." However, due to the absence of the United States, there was no separate handover ceremony for the gavel.

This summit marked the first time since the G20’s establishment in 1999 that the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia all failed to attend. It was also the first time that none of the "Troika" countries (the previous, current, and next host nations) sent any delegation to the summit.

With this, the rotation of Global South countries as G20 chairs, which began with Indonesia in 2022, has concluded. The next host countries will be the United States in 2026, the United Kingdom in 2027, and Korea in 2028. President Trump has already announced plans to hold the 2026 summit at his Miami Doral Golf Resort and to narrow the agenda to economic cooperation.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Group of Twenty (G20) summit held on the 22nd (local time) at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. G20 Organizing Committee

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung maintained a highly active schedule over the past two days, attending the opening ceremony, banquet, and all three summit sessions.

President Lee also participated in the "MIKTA" leaders’ meeting-a consultative body of five middle-power countries led by Korea (Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, T?rkiye, and Australia)-and held bilateral talks with the leaders of France and Germany.

In the afternoon, President Lee wrapped up his South Africa itinerary with a meeting with Korean expatriates and will depart for T?rkiye, the final destination of his overseas tour.