Joburg set for G20 despite some key snubs
Executive Summary
Johannesburg will host the 2025 G20 Leaders Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre, marking the first such gathering on African soil and drawing over 60 heads of state despite high-profile absences by US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Argentinian President Javier Milei. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead proceedings under the themes of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, with attendees including leaders from Germany, France, the UK, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Canada, alongside UN, IMF, and EU officials; sessions will address economic resilience, energy transitions, AI, climate finance, and debt sustainability following extensive preparatory meetings. Representing over 85% of global GDP, the summit holds critical significance amid escalating geopolitical conflicts, trade disruptions, and climate disasters disproportionately affecting the developing world.