By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

As South Africa’s G20 Presidency concluded on Sunday after the leaders in attendance had come to an agreement over the declaration, they conducted the handover process quietly to the United States, despite their unwillingness to attend the summit as well as coming to an agreement over the declaration.

“Our shared goals outweigh our differences, this gavel formally closes the summit and now moves on to the next president of the G20 which is the United States, where we will see each other again next year.” said Ramaphosa in his closing remarks of the G20. 

This served as the first mention of America from Ramaphosa throughout the entire gathering over the weekend. The declaration has caused huge tension between South Africa and the United States, as the latter had warned the other nations to not adopt the declaration, especially without the presence of the United States.

Other heads of state from nations such as Argentina, Russia, Mexico and China not being in attendance had some representation at the G20, while America had chosen to remove themselves from the summit entirely.

German chancellor Friederich Merz had mentioned that the United States were mentioned in passing throughout the G20 and played a minor role in the new direction the world would like to take. “It wasn’t a good decision for the American government to be absent. But that’s something the American government has chosen for itself.” said the German chancellor.

Another first which was done at the G20 was that the leaders moved to adopt the declaration on the opening day of the Summit, something which is usually reserved for the last day. The declaration shed light on climate change and the urgency of combatting the rapid effects and was praised for moving to adopt renewable energy options, and it also criticized the heavy debt service cost which currently hurt developing nations.

The Trump administration has expressed that some of the points discussed in the declaration are not in line with America. Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who also opted to skip the summit, also didn’t give the declaration his endorsement.

“Specifically it addressed the longstanding Middle East conflict in a manner that fails to capture its full complexity.” said Foreign Minister of Argentina Pable Quirno.

 “The nations will work for a just, comprehensive, lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory, Ukraine as well as ending other conflicts and wars around the globe” read the G20 Leader’s declaration. 

The United States had initially expected South Africa to hand over the Presidency at the Charge d’affairs, which is an acting ambassador of the United States.

 “This, coupled with South Africa’s push to issue a G20 leader’s Declaration, despite constant and robust US objections, underscores the fact that they have weaponised their G20 Presidency to undermine the G20’s founding principles.” said White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly as she accused Ramaphosa for not conducting a smooth transition of the G20 Presidency. The Summit in 2026 will be held at the Trump National Doral Miami Golf Resort, which is owned by the Trump Organisation.