Why in the News?

The G20 Summit in Johannesburg, hosted by South Africa on November 22-23, 2025, concluded with a landmark declaration addressing climate finance, debt restructuring, and inequality, despite a high-profile boycott by the United States under President Donald Trump. This first-ever African-hosted G20, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” invoked the indigenous philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) to underscore interconnected global fates, yet the US absence—citing discredited claims of “white farmer persecution” in South Africa—highlighted deepening rifts in multilateral forums.

Background: The G20’s Evolution and South Africa’s Historic Presidency

Why in the News?

The G20 Summit in Johannesburg, hosted by South Africa on November 22-23, 2025, concluded with a landmark declaration addressing climate finance, debt restructuring, and inequality, despite a high-profile boycott by the United States under President Donald Trump. This first-ever African-hosted G20, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” invoked the indigenous philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) to underscore interconnected global fates, yet the US absence—citing discredited claims of “white farmer persecution” in South Africa—highlighted deepening rifts in multilateral forums.

Background: The G20’s Evolution and South Africa’s Historic Presidency

Established in 1999 amid the Asian Financial Crisis, the G20 expanded from finance ministers’ meetings to leaders’ summits post-2008, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. Its informal nature allows consensus-driven outcomes, but consensus has waned with geopolitical tensions, as seen in the 2023 New Delhi Declaration’s bracketed language on Ukraine.

South Africa’s 2025 presidency, assumed December 1, 2024, positioned Africa centrally, aligning with UN 2030 Agenda deadlines. As the African Union (AU)’s permanent G20 member since 2023, it amplified continent-specific priorities: climate vulnerability (Africa emits <4% of GHGs but suffers 50% of impacts), unsustainable debt (54 African nations at risk), and value addition in minerals (e.g., cobalt, lithium for green tech).

• Preparatory Tensions: Early ministerial meetings saw US objections to “DEI” (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) themes and climate references, foreshadowing the boycott announced November 9, 2025. China and Russia sent vice-presidential delegations; Argentina and Mexico downgraded amid domestic politics.
• Ubuntu as Framing Device: Rooted in Nguni Bantu philosophy, Ubuntu emphasizes communal harmony and mutual interdependence, contrasting Western individualism. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa invoked it to reframe G20 as a “people’s forum,” echoing Mandela’s global humanism.

The US Boycott: Motivations and Diplomatic Fallout

President Trump’s boycott, framed as a stand against South Africa’s alleged “discrimination” toward white farmers—a narrative debunked by fact-checkers and Human Rights Watch—masks broader “America First” isolationism. This echoes his 2017 Paris pullout and 2018 G7 walkout, prioritizing domestic populism over global leadership.

Underlying Drivers

• Bilateral Strains: US-South Africa ties frayed over Pretoria’s ICJ genocide case against Israel (2024), BRICS expansion, and Russia’s Ukraine invasion neutrality. Trump’s rhetoric labeled the summit a “total disgrace,” weaponizing discredited “white genocide” tropes to rally his base.
• Agenda Clashes: US opposed Ubuntu-infused themes like reparative climate finance and “just transition,” viewing them as “woke” impositions. White House statements accused South Africa of “undermining G20 principles” by pushing a declaration sans consensus.
• Strategic Calculus: With US hosting in 2026 (Doral, Florida), the boycott signals intent to “restore legitimacy” via a streamlined agenda, potentially sidelining Global South voices.

Immediate Repercussions: Ramaphosa rejected a US ploy for a chargé d’affaires at the gavel handover, banging it symbolically to affirm continuity. The declaration’s adoption—backed by 18 members—infuriated Washington, prompting threats of disinvitation for 2026 events.

Analytical Perspective: This isolates the US economically (G20 sans US still commands 60% GDP), but erodes its soft power. For India, it validates multi-alignment, as Modi’s presence bridged divides, reinforcing New Delhi’s G20 sherpa role.

Key Outcomes: The Johannesburg Declaration and Ubuntu’s Global Resonance

Defying tradition, the summit issued a leaders’ declaration at inception, a “rare victory for multilateralism” per Reuters. Spanning 122 points, it operationalizes Ubuntu through collective action, prioritizing equity over confrontation.

Core Deliverables

• Climate and Energy: Pledged a “Global Green Transition Fund” (€200B initial mobilization) for renewables in vulnerable nations; “rapid and just transition” from fossil fuels, with timelines for coal phase-out in developing economies. Reiterated Paris goals, addressing Africa’s $100B annual adaptation gap.
• Debt and Finance: New sovereign debt restructuring framework for faster resolutions; G20 Common Framework expanded to include private creditors, targeting 20 African nations in distress.
• Inequality and Growth: Task Force on Inclusive Growth endorsed skills platforms (e.g., India-proposed Global Skills Hub) and gender-responsive budgeting; AU-led initiative for mineral value chains to counter “resource curse.”
• Global Challenges: Neutral on Ukraine/Gaza but urged “peaceful resolutions”; digital economy compact for data sovereignty in Global South.

Ubuntu’s Diplomatic Infusion: The declaration preambles with Ubuntu, framing interdependence as antidote to fragmentation. As per South African FM Ronald Lamola, it signals “the world can move on without the US,” echoing Canada’s Mark Carney: three-quarters of population/GDP participated, retaining legitimacy.

Implications for Global Governance and the Global South

The boycott underscores multilateralism’s fragility, yet Johannesburg’s resilience affirms the G20’s adaptability, positioning the Global South as agenda-setters.

Strengthening Southern Agency

• African Voice Amplified: First African host spotlighted “polycrisis” realities—droughts displacing 20M, debt servicing at 20% GDP. AU’s role cements permanent seat, per 2023 New Delhi consensus.
• BRICS Synergies: Modi’s attendance linked G20 to BRICS (expanded 2024), advocating de-dollarization and South-South trade (now 30% of global flows).
• India’s Balancing Act: As 2023 host, India mediated, aligning Ubuntu with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; potential for trilateral (India-SA-US) revival in 2026.

Risks to Multilateral Order

• US Isolationism’s Ripple: Boycott normalizes absences (e.g., Putin’s routine skips), eroding consensus; 2026 Florida summit may exclude “adversaries,” fragmenting the forum.
• Geoeconomic Shifts: China’s infrastructure push (Belt and Road) fills voids, but debt traps loom; EU’s €150B Global Gateway counters, yet intra-South rivalries (e.g., India-China) persist.
• Equity Gaps: Declaration’s ambition contrasts implementation lags—e.g., $100B climate finance delivered only 30% by 2024.

Challenges Ahead: From Rhetoric to Realization

Ubuntu’s promise demands action beyond declarations, confronting entrenched North-South divides.

Persistent Hurdles

• Enforcement Mechanisms: No binding penalties; voluntary pledges risk “talk-shop” syndrome, as in Pittsburgh 2009’s financial reforms.
• Geopolitical Overhangs: Ukraine/Gaza shadows muted progress; US threats to “slim down” 2026 agenda could veto Ubuntu legacies.
• Domestic Constraints: South Africa’s load-shedding and inequality (Gini 0.63) undermine credibility; Trump’s base-driven foreign policy amplifies unpredictability.

Pathways Forward

• Institutional Reforms: Propose G20 “Ubuntu Compact” for annual equity audits; expand to 30 members including Nigeria, Indonesia.
• Triangular Cooperation: Leverage India-EU-Africa ties for fund operationalization; digital tools for transparent debt tracking.
• Philosophical Anchoring: Integrate Ubuntu into UN Charter reviews (2025), fostering “human security” over state-centric models.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Ubuntu in a Divided World

The Johannesburg Summit, marred yet not marred by US absence, embodies Ubuntu’s essence: humanity’s strength in shared vulnerability. By adopting a forward-looking declaration, G20 leaders affirmed that global progress need not await the reluctant hegemon, empowering the Global South to lead on existential threats. Yet, as the gavel passes to a skeptical US, the true test lies in translating solidarity into equity—ensuring no nation, no continent, is left behind. For a multipolar order, Ubuntu offers not just philosophy, but praxis: interdependence as the antidote to isolation, collective resolve as the forge of a sustainable future. South Africa’s triumph signals Africa’s awakening, urging renewed commitment to forums where the marginalized set the agenda.

Source: Missing ‘Ubuntu’: On the G-20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg – The Hindu

UPSC CSE PYQ

Year	Question
2019	What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States? How can the two countries mitigate these frictions? Explain with suitable examples.