G20 summit continue in South Africa with focus on minerals, jobs, AI

The G20 summit in South Africa concluded Sunday with world leaders focusing on critical mineral resources, employment challenges, and artificial intelligence during the final day of discussions in Johannesburg.

Final Day Agenda

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the concluding plenary session titled "A Fair and a Just Future for All Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence." This followed Saturday's discussions covering inclusive economic growth, sustainable development financing, debt burdens, and resilience-building through climate action and energy transitions. The summit, organized under the theme "solidarity, equality and sustainability," marked the first G20 gathering hosted on African soil.

Summit Declaration and Outcomes

Participants adopted a joint declaration emphasizing the pursuit of "just, comprehensive, and lasting peace" in several war regions, specifically mentioning Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Ukraine. The document referenced the UN Charter as guiding principles for these peace efforts. The closing ceremony was scheduled for 1 pm local time, concluding the two-day high-level international meeting.

Absence of US Representation

The summit proceeded without participation from the United States, despite Washington being slated to assume the G20 presidency from South Africa. This absence disrupted the traditional handover ceremony typically conducted between outgoing and incoming host nations. South African officials indicated the formal transfer would occur through diplomatic channels starting Monday, with equivalent-level representation following the US decision to designate its charge d'affaires for the procedure.

Diplomatic Context

The situation reflects strained relations between Washington and Pretoria, exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's accusations against South Africa regarding domestic policies, which South African authorities have consistently denied. The diplomatic tensions have affected bilateral cooperation on both foreign and domestic policy matters, creating challenges for the customary G20 leadership transition process.