Johannesburg: The 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," is concluding its final day with a less intense agenda. The summit, which commenced with the G20 Leaders' Declaration, features a closed-door session and discussions on "A just and equitable future for all critical metals," along with topics such as Decent Work and Artificial Intelligence. The summit will conclude with the presentation of final recommendations at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre.

According to Angola Press News Agency, this summit marks the first G20 meeting held in Africa, attracting leaders such as Angolan Head of State and African Union chairperson Joo Louren§o, UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres, and other global figures. The discussions have focused on key issues affecting the Global South, including global finance, reforms of International Financial Institutions, inclusion, external debt, climate change, and energy transitions.

The summit's closing is marked by the absence of a G20 presidential gavel handover from South Africa to the US, highlighting diplomatic tensions between the two nations. South African authorities have declined to deliver the gavel to a "lower-level official" from the US, as stated by Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Lamola emphasized that South Africa's President will not transfer power to the US at the summit but will do so at a location of the US's choosing within South Africa. Recent speculation suggested that the US might send a Charg© d'Affaires for the power transfer.

The African Union, alongside the European Union, has gained permanent status in the group since the summit in India in September 2023, aiming to amplify Africa's influence on the G20 agenda. South Africa's presidency of the G20, which began on December 1, 2024, concludes with this summit, despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of his absence from the event.

The inaugural G20 summit occurred in Washington in November 2008, establishing an Action Plan for financial institution reforms and enhanced cooperation among regulators, promoting emerging economies' participation. Subsequent summits have been hosted in various global cities, including London, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and others, highlighting the G20's evolving role in addressing global economic challenges.