G20 summit in South Africa: Who’s attending and what’s on the agenda?

G20 summit in South Africa: Who’s attending and what’s on the agenda? is the question on every geopolitical observer’s lips as world leaders descend upon Johannesburg this weekend. The gathering marks a historic milestone as the first-ever Group of 20 leaders’ summit to be held on African soil. However, the event at the Nasrec Expo Centre kicks off under a cloud of diplomatic tension, defined by a high-profile US boycott and a determined push by the host nation to champion a Global South agenda.

Despite the political theatre emanating from Washington, South African officials maintain that the business of global governance must go on. President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed dignitaries to the country’s economic capital, which is currently buzzing with activity, heightened security, and a complex mix of celebration and protest.

The US Boycott: Trump vs. Ramaphosa

The elephant in the room—or rather, not in the room—is United States President Donald Trump. His administration has taken the unprecedented step of boycotting the summit, a move that threatens to overshadow the critical discussions on economic inequality and climate resilience.

Trump’s refusal to attend stems from his administration’s accusations regarding South Africa’s domestic policies. The US President has cited “unsubstantiated claims” of a “white genocide” and discrimination against the white minority population as his primary reasons for snubbing the event. This stance solidified earlier this year following the passing of new South African land reform laws.

The diplomatic spat escalated significantly on the eve of the summit. While Cyril Ramaphosa attempted to extend a diplomatic olive branch, stating that the US had reached out for some form of participation, the White House response was scathing. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused Ramaphosa of “running his mouth,” reiterating that Trump’s position remained unchanged and that the South African leader’s comments were not appreciated.

Consequently, as South Africa prepares to hand over the rotating G20 presidency to the United States on November 30, Ramaphosa has promised to symbolically hand the gavel to an “empty chair” if necessary. Reports suggest that Acting US Ambassador Marc D. Dillard may stand in for the formality, but the absence of the US head of state is a glaring diplomatic fissure.

Who Is Attending the Summit?

Despite the US boycott, the summit has achieved a robust turnout. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that 42 countries and institutions are represented, describing the attendance rate as a definitive success for South Africa’s diplomacy.

Key World Leaders Present

While Donald Trump is absent, other heavyweights of the global order have arrived in Johannesburg. The confirmed guest list includes:

• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

• France: President Emmanuel Macron

• Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz

• United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer

• Brazil: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

• China: Premier Li Qiang (representing President Xi Jinping)

• International Bodies: UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

Notable Absences

The US is not the only nation with an empty seat at the head of state level.

• Russia: President Vladimir Putin is absent due to the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest. He is represented by Maxim Oreshkin.

• China: President Xi Jinping, who attended the BRICS summit previously, has sent his Premier.

• Nigeria: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cancelled his trip at the last minute to address a domestic security crisis involving the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls.

• Argentina: President Javier Milei, a close ally of Trump, has also withdrawn, sending his Foreign Minister instead.

Championing the Global South Agenda

With the West somewhat fractured in its attendance, South Africa has seized the opportunity to place a distinct Global South agenda at the forefront of the proceedings.

For Pretoria, this summit is not just a photo opportunity; it is a platform to address the structural inequalities that plague developing nations. The agenda is heavy on financial reform and climate justice.

Key Agenda Items Include:

1. Debt Restructuring: pushing international financial institutions to provide better debt relief for poorer nations drowning in interest payments.

2. Climate Finance: Lobbying for a massive scale-up in funding flowing from rich nations to the developing world for climate-disaster resilience.

3. Critical Minerals: Establishing frameworks to ensure that African countries—the source of many minerals needed for the green energy transition—benefit from their extraction rather than just being export hubs.

Gilad Isaacs, executive director of the Institute for Economic Justice, noted that despite the US snub, Pretoria has successfully put “real issues” on the table. The credibility of this presidency will be measured by whether these Global South interests are carried forward into future forums.

Protests and Public Sentiment

While the Nasrec Expo Centre is a fortress of diplomacy, the streets outside tell a different story. The summit has become a lightning rod for various domestic grievances, with at least 3,500 extra police officials deployed to maintain order.

Femicide and Gender-Based Violence

The most visceral protests have come from the Women for Change advocacy group. Calling for a national shutdown on Friday, they highlighted South Africa’s soaring rates of femicide. With statistics indicating that three women are killed by intimate partners daily, the group urged women to wear black and lie down in public spaces to mourn the dead. Their message is stark: “The G20 cannot speak of growth and progress” while women are being slaughtered.

Minority Rights and Economic Grievances

In a reflection of the complex South African political landscape, other groups have also mobilized:

• Solidarity: The trade union representing the Afrikaner minority has erected billboards in Johannesburg proclaiming the country to be the “most race-regulated in the world,” aligning with the narratives cited by Donald Trump.

• Operation Dudula: The anti-immigration group has used the global spotlight to protest high unemployment rates (currently sitting at 31%) and poverty, arguing that the lavish summit stands in stark contrast to the economic struggles of ordinary citizens.

• Climate Activists: A coalition of environmental groups has dubbed the event a “summit for the rich,” arguing that the G20 framework fundamentally fails to address the root causes of the climate crisis.

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Conclusion

As the weekend unfolds, the G20 summit in South Africa: Who’s attending and what’s on the agenda? remains a complex narrative of diplomatic defiance. While the US boycott casts a long shadow, the presence of other global powers and the fierce urgency of the Global South agenda suggest that the world is moving toward a multipolar reality where Washington’s approval is no longer the sole prerequisite for global dialogue.

President Cyril Ramaphosa faces a difficult task: managing a hostile US administration, navigating domestic unrest, and delivering tangible results for Africa. Whether this summit is remembered for its empty chairs or its bold declarations remains to be seen.

Here are two references from mainstream media that confirm the details regarding the G20 Summit in South Africa, the US boycott, and the agenda:

1. AP News

   • Headline: White House hits out at South African leader for ‘running his mouth’ over US boycott of G20

   • Date: November 20, 2025

   • Link: https://apnews.com/article/g20-south-africa-united-states-trump-e41ad9d725d08590d3d9b66244d1b2a3

2. The Guardian

   • Headline: US in talks to attend G20 summit after initial boycott, South Africa says

   • Date: November 20, 2025

   • Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/20/south-africa-says-us-boycott-of-g20-is-coercion-by-absentia

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