G20 Africa Summit Breaks Ground, but US Boycott Raises Concerns Ahead of Miami Summit

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The first-ever G20 summit held in Africa concluded on Sunday, marking a significant shift in priorities as the bloc focused on issues affecting developing nations. Host South Africa successfully negotiated a 122-point declaration signed by the world's top economies, including the US, China, and India, which emphasized the urgent need to address climate change, debt, and borrowing conditions in poor countries. However, the US, a founding member of the G20, boycotted the summit and refused to sign the declaration, citing opposition to South Africa's agenda, particularly on climate change. The move has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the bloc in addressing global crises. The summit declaration, which is not a binding document, calls for collaboration to mobilize finance and support for poor countries affected by climate-related disasters. Africa, which contributes only 2-3% of global emissions, is disproportionately impacted by climate change, with recent cyclones causing billions of dollars in damage across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Representatives from developing nations, including Sierra Leone and Namibia, shared their challenges with debt and borrowing, highlighting the need for fair conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that the G20 is at a crossroads, struggling to establish a common standard on geopolitical crises. The summit ended with a symbolic handover of the G20 presidency from South Africa to the US, but the ceremony was marred by an uncomfortable moment when the US refused to accept the traditional wooden gavel. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva jokingly took the gavel, saying he would "take it to them.