Draft joint statement ready for G20 leaders' summit: sources
Executive Summary
A draft joint statement for the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, was finalized on Friday ahead of the leaders' meeting, despite the United States boycotting preparations over disagreements with South Africa's priorities. The summit, starting Saturday and focusing on debt sustainability for low-income countries, a just energy transition, and critical minerals for growth, will see attendance from leaders including Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China's Li Qiang, and France's Emmanuel Macron. The US embassy confirmed no representative will join the main discussions, attending only a handover ceremony before hosting next year's summit. This outcome underscores G20 divisions, with the statement's title changed from the traditional 'G20 Leaders' Declaration.'