G20 Summit in South Africa set to open without US as Trump announces boycott: 8 things to know

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday embarked on a three-day visit to South Africa, on the invitation of the President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Here are 8 key things you need to know about the G20 Summit:

1. 01

   What is the G20 Summit?

   The G20 brings together 19 major economies along with the European Union and the African Union. Formed in 1999, it offers developing countries a rare platform to raise concerns on global economic issues, though it does not issue binding decisions and often struggles to reach consensus among major powers.

2. 02

   Trump may boycott over disputed claims about white Afrikaners

   Trump said he was boycotting the Summit because South Africa is “persecuting” white Afrikaner farmers through killings and land seizures, claims that have been rejected by the South African government and others, including some Afrikaners themselves, AP reported.

   However, Ramaphosa said the host country had received communication at “the 11th hour” and was now working on the logistics to accommodate the US.

3. 03

   US' absence expected to weaken South Africa’s agenda

   South Africa had hoped to use its presidency to highlight climate-driven disasters, green energy financing, rising debt burdens and global inequality. Analysts say the lack of US participation might undermine momentum at the first G20 summit hosted in Africa.

4. 04

   What PM Modi said about the summit

   Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present India’s perspective at the forum in line with its vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One earth, One Family and One future.’

   "I look forward to my interactions with leaders of the partner countries, and participation in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled on the sidelines of the Summit,” PM said in his departure statement.

   “The Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. The theme of this year’s G20 has been ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, by which South Africa has carried forward the outcomes from the previous Summits held in New Delhi, India and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” the statement read.

5. 05

   The US will still take over the next G20 presidency

   Although boycotting the talks, the US will assume the rotating G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the summit this year.

   A US Embassy representative will attend the formal handover, according to a White House official.

6. 06

   Key priorities: climate disasters, debt relief and inequality

   South Africa is pushing leaders to address the severe effect of droughts, floods and cyclones on vulnerable countries.

   It has proposed an independent international panel on global wealth inequality, similar to the UN’s climate panel, following a report led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz warning of an “inequality emergency.”

7. 07

   Protests and counter-summits expected in Johannesburg

   As with previous G20 gatherings, protests are expected. Activist groups in Johannesburg have held a counter-summit criticising what they call a global system “rigged in favour of elites and billionaires.”

8. 08

   Xi Jinping among absentees, but Western nations to attend

   Trump and Xi are the most high-profile absentees, though China is sending Premier Li Qiang. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also stay away due to an International Criminal Court warrant obligating South Africa to arrest him if he enters the country.

   Argentina’s President Javier Milei will be skipping the summit in solidarity with Trump.

   Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have confirmed their attendance.

   (With inputs from agencies)