World leaders at the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg adopted a sweeping declaration focused on climate action, global inequality, and fairer international financing—an outcome largely driven by an unusually unified African bloc pressing for systemic reforms on behalf of developing nations.
The summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, opened with an unexpected breakthrough: adoption of the leaders’ declaration at the beginning of the summit rather than at its conclusion an unprecedented move that signaled urgency and rare diplomatic alignment despite U.S. hesitation on climate commitments.
President Ramaphosa, whose leadership shaped the negotiation process, was joined by several prominent African heads of state who used the global platform to amplify Africa’s demands. Those present included Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed all of whom underscored the need for fairer financial systems, accelerated climate finance, and deeper partnerships with the Global South.
Collectively, the African leaders pushed for reforms within multilateral lending institutions, a greater African voice in global decision-making, and binding commitments from industrialized nations on emissions cuts. They argued that without sustained financing for adaptation, Africa already facing droughts, flooding, and food insecurity remains dangerously exposed.
The adopted declaration commits G20 nations to strengthened climate adaptation funding, gradual restructuring of unsustainable debts in vulnerable economies, and expanded development partnerships. It also calls for global taxation tools, including measures on digital economies, to ensure fairer revenue distribution for developing countries.
Though the United States maintained reservations on certain climate-related financing clauses, the broader coalition of nations including Africa, Asia, and South America pushed the declaration through with overwhelming support.
The summit continues with negotiations on energy transition, technology access, global taxation, and the mining value chain areas where African leaders are seeking firm, time-bound commitments. South Africa is expected to present additional frameworks on green industrialization before the summit concludes.
