G20 leaders opened their first-ever African summit in Johannesburg on Saturday with a declaration tackling the climate crisis and other pressing global issues.
The announcement comes amid a US boycott and in the context of European leaders responding cautiously to a US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine.
A statement issued by EU leaders on the sidelines emphasized that “the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members respectively.”
The comments highlight concerns over Washington’s 28-point blueprint for peace in Ukraine, which dominated discussions at the summit’s opening and sidelines.
The two-day gathering brought together leaders and top officials from major and emerging economies without the participation of US President Donald Trump, who opted out of the summit.
A spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the summit, stressed that the declaration on the climate crisis “can’t be renegotiated,” noting, “We had the entire year of working towards this adoption, and the past week has been quite intense.”
In his opening remarks, Ramaphosa underscored the significance of the event for Africa, stating, “As this is the first G-20 leader summit to be held in Africa, it carries the hopes and must reflect the aspirations of the people of this continent and of the world.”
He added, “It is the responsibility of all participants not to allow anything to diminish the value, the stature, and the impact of the first African G20 presidency.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa were among the European leaders attending the summit.
In her speech, von der Leyen highlighted the need for “inclusive and sustainable economic growth that leaves no one behind,” adding, “Addressing global imbalances requires coordinated and cooperative action, With the help of our international institutions, the IMF, the WTO, and the World Bank, we should have a genuine assessment of global imbalances where root causes are discussed.”
She further stressed, “Europe needs to shoulder its responsibilities and boost investment, but I repeat, this is a collective responsibility.”
While the US boycott left a noticeable gap, Washington’s Ukraine peace plan remained a focal point.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met to explore alternatives to the US proposal, aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine nearly four years after the invasion.
On the sidelines, the EU welcomed ongoing US efforts for peace but emphasized the need for further refinement.
The statement read, “The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe the draft is a basis which will require additional work. We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force.”
The remarks came after von der Leyen and Costa spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone on Friday, signaling support for Kyiv amid rising European concerns.
The US plan has stirred unease in Kyiv and other European capitals, as it proposes partial territorial concessions to Russia, reductions in Ukraine’s military, restrictions on NATO aspirations, and limited security guarantees, a combination Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.
In a recent video message, Zelenskyy warned that his nation might face a “difficult decision between defending its sovereign rights and maintaining the necessary American support.”
