The Group of 20 (G20) summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, became a platform for developing nations to address pressing global issues such as climate change and unsustainable debt levels. These nations, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Jamaica, and Malaysia, emphasized their potential as economic partners in sectors like mining, technology, and artificial intelligence. South Africa, which concluded its G20 presidency and handed it over to the United States, was praised for fostering an inclusive agenda that prioritized the needs of poorer countries and highlighted global inequality. However, the summit was marked by the absence of the United States, which boycotted the event due to President Donald Trump’s allegations of South Africa’s mistreatment of its Afrikaner white minority. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored the importance of translating debt relief into tangible investments, stating, ‘Inclusivity is not charity, it is efficiency.’ Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for fair financing terms, noting that despite timely debt repayment, her country is still perceived as high-risk. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness highlighted the devastating impact of climate-fueled natural disasters, such as Hurricane Melissa, on developing nations. World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged African leaders to rethink trade policies, emphasizing the need to move beyond exporting raw materials and instead develop regional value chains. Nabil Ahmed of Oxfam commended South Africa for centering inequality in the G20 agenda, calling it a critical step in addressing both the climate and inequality emergencies.
Developing nations push for climate action and debt relief at G20 summit in South Africa
