G20 Summit | Leaders' Summit concludes today

The article is a transcript from a broadcast covering the conclusion of South Africa's G20 presidency at the Johannesburg summit, where President Cyril Ramaphosa hands over the gavel to the United States. Ramaphosa's closing remarks emphasize climate change as a critical issue, pledging increased quality and quantity of funding, and highlight global inequities in emissions: the richest 10% of countries (mostly Western) account for 50% of greenhouse gases, while the poorest 50% (in Africa, Latin America, and Asia) contribute only 8%. From 1975 to 2024, emissions rose dramatically in China (939%), India (1,300%), and minimally in the US (11%) and Africa (4%), underscoring calls for justice from the Global South. The Johannesburg Declaration, a 30-page document adopted at the summit, builds on prior G20 events in Indonesia (2022), India (2023), and Brazil (2024), promoting multilateralism, sustainable development goals, debt cancellation, and the UN's Pact for the Future. Celebrations reflect South Africa's successful presidency, with leaders from developing nations like India, Brazil, and Indonesia first congratulating Ramaphosa, followed by others including the Italian Prime Minister and former Nigerian President Obasanjo. Visuals show positive interactions, including with the WTO Director-General (a Nigerian), amid concerns over US tariffs. Ramaphosa defiantly affirms South Africa's attendance at the US-hosted G20, rejecting any exclusion attempts, and expects continued bilateral trade talks despite differences. Analysts note ideological clashes between BRICS nations' socialist leanings and US capitalism, predicting the US may tone down the declaration, conflicting with priorities like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Overall, the handover signals a successful push for Global South priorities but anticipates tensions in US leadership.