US EATS HUMBLE PIE: G20 DECLARATION ADOPTED WITHOUT OBJECTION, EXCEPT US ABSENCE

Mpho Dube
6 days ago
2 min read

Commanderr in Chief President Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

In a significant turn of events, the G20 declaration was adopted without objection by all member countries, except the absent United States, at the start of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa surprised everyone by asking fellow leaders to adopt the declaration at the beginning of the meeting, rather than the end, as is customary.

The declaration largely supports South Africa's priorities, including stronger language on climate change, gender empowerment, and debt relief for developing countries. Despite some compromises, negotiators described the declaration as "a good one" for South Africa, the G20, and the world.

The US, which initially boycotted the summit, will likely have a low-key, non-televised handover of the G20 presidency to the US next week, rather than at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

The declaration's adoption is seen as a considerable achievement for South Africa and the G20, especially given the absence of the US. The document reflects principles like respect for international law and lists hotspots such as the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, the DRC, and Ukraine.

The adoption of the declaration is a victory for multilateralism and a testament to the power of diplomacy. Despite the US's absence, the G20 leaders were able to come together and agree on a declaration that supports the interests of developing countries.

"This is a good declaration for South Africa, for the G20, and for the world," said one of the negotiators from a Western country. "It's a reflection of where the world is, and we're moving forward."

While the declaration is seen as a success, there were compromises made to get the agreement of countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Some countries would have liked stronger language on climate change, but Saudi Arabia and Russia resisted.

"We would have hoped to have it a bit more ambitious, to be honest," said one Western diplomat. "But that's a reflection of where the world is."

The US initially boycotted the summit, citing disagreements with South Africa's priorities, including climate change and global wealth inequality. However, the US has now indicated it wants to join the summit, and is likely to have a low-key handover of the G20 presidency next week.

The US decision to boycott the summit was seen as a setback for global cooperation, and the country's absence was felt at the summit. However, the adoption of the declaration without the US's input is a testament to the power of multilateralism and the ability of countries to come together and agree on important issues.