Can the G20 survive without the United States? Johannesburg 2025 tests global governance

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2025 G20 summit in Johannesburg marked a historic first for the African continent, yet it unfolded under a cloud of high-profile absences. With the United States boycotting the event entirely and several other world leaders staying home, the forum faced a critical test of its relevance and future legitimacy.

Held on 22–23 November 2025 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, the summit was the twentieth meeting of the G20. South Africa, which held the presidency from December 2024, aimed to center development issues affecting the Global South. The event was defined by the theme 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,' focusing on priorities like debt relief, climate resilience, and energy-transition finance. South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasized that the agenda sought to address the needs of African nations and other developing economies, marking the fourth consecutive year a BRICS member held the presidency.

The summit was notable for the absence of several top leaders. The United States, under President Donald Trump, boycotted the event entirely, citing concerns over South African politics. Other leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, did not attend, with some sending representatives in their place. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the absence of roughly one-third of the forum's full leadership posed a serious risk to the G20's effectiveness. Despite these gaps, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney argued that the summit remained legitimate, noting that participating countries still represented three-quarters of the global population and two-thirds of global GDP.

Breaking with tradition, the South African presidency tabled a leader's statement at the start of the summit. The resulting 122-point declaration, adopted by all members except Argentina, focused on multilateral reform, food security, and the restructuring of international financial institutions like the IMF. While the U.S. boycott created diplomatic friction—prompting Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola to suggest the world could move forward without American participation—the summit concluded by emphasizing a shift toward multipolarity. The declaration pushed for a more inclusive global governance structure, ensuring that voices from the Global South are better reflected in the institutions that shape the international economy.

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