Johannesburg, South Africa – The first-ever G20 Summit on African soil opened on November 22, 2025, at the Nasrec Expo Centre, drawing world leaders to a historic gathering overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s boycott but marked by a strong declaration on climate action, inequality, and development for the Global South. Hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the two-day summit (November 22–23) carries the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” and aims to tackle climate resilience, debt relief for developing nations, and equitable access to critical minerals and green technologies.
In a significant move, G20 leaders adopted the Johannesburg Declaration during the opening plenary on Saturday, despite strong U.S. opposition and the absence of senior American officials. The declaration calls for greater support against climate disasters, reduced debt burdens for low-income countries, and faster transitions to renewable energy. Ramaphosa described it as a “victory for multilateralism” and proof that Africa’s voice matters in global decision-making. The U.S. boycott, mirrored by Argentina’s President Javier Milei in solidarity, reflects deep disagreements over the summit’s emphasis on climate and inequality issues that the Trump administration has rejected.
Despite the tensions, the summit drew robust participation from 42 countries and organizations, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Premier Li Qiang (representing President Xi Jinping), Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Seven G20 member states were represented only by lower-level delegations, but the event proceeded smoothly at Johannesburg’s 150,000-square-meter convention center.
On the sidelines, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first in-person meeting since Lee took office in June 2025 following the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. The 45-minute discussion focused on elevating bilateral relations to a full strategic partnership, with cooperation in economy, security, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and renewables.
Lee expressed hope that ties could be strengthened across culture, economy, security, and advanced technology. Macron thanked South Korea for its clear stance on Ukraine and other issues important to France, and he welcomed expanded collaboration in quantum computing, space, and clean energy. Lee formally invited Macron to visit South Korea in 2026 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Macron responded enthusiastically, saying the visit would be “a great opportunity to prepare” and that he was “excited” about traveling to Seoul.
Macron also held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi later wrote on X that the two leaders had an “engaging exchange on different issues,” adding that “India–France ties remain a force for global good!” Macron echoed the sentiment, posting in French and English: “Thank you, my friend, dear Narendra Modi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries!”
In a separate bilateral meeting, Modi and Lee Jae-myung discussed further deepening economic and investment linkages. Modi described the talks as “wonderful,” noting strong momentum in the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership, which already supports around $30 billion in annual trade and growing cooperation in electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors.
The interconnected meetings between Macron, Lee, and Modi highlighted a growing network of middle-power partnerships in technology, energy, and security, even as larger powers remain divided. For newly inaugurated President Lee, who has prioritized economic recovery and international alliances amid domestic challenges and external pressures, these engagements offered an early opportunity to position South Korea as a key player in global supply chains for AI, clean energy, and critical minerals.
As the summit continues into its final day, leaders are expected to finalize commitments on disaster resilience, energy transitions, and reform of international financial institutions. The adoption of the Johannesburg Declaration without U.S. consensus has raised questions about the G20’s cohesion heading into the American presidency next year, but participants insist the gathering has demonstrated that multilateral progress is still possible.
For Africa, hosting the G20 represents far more than symbolism: it is a platform to channel the continent’s vast mineral wealth into sustainable development and to ensure the Global South has a decisive say in shaping the rules of the 21st-century economy. As leaders prepare to depart Johannesburg, the partnerships forged here, from France–South Korea strategic upgrades to India’s proposed skills and satellite-data initiatives for Africa, may set the tone for global cooperation in the year ahead.
