Johannesburg: Leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday approved a joint declaration condemning terrorism in all forms and calling for stronger global systems to curb terror financing, even as the United States refused to join negotiations or take part in drafting the text. South Africa, which held the presidency, pushed the document forward despite Washington’s objections.
A spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa said the group could not “bend rules for one country” and praised members who worked to secure consensus. The official stressed that the summit needed to move ahead rather than be stalled by a single nation.
The declaration “condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and reaffirmed commitment to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional bodies. It urged stronger measures against money laundering, terror financing and proliferation networks, including steps to prevent misuse of legal entities, improve asset recovery, enhance cooperation and increase transparency in payments and virtual assets.
The statement also supported FATF’s ongoing work on emerging risks linked to decentralised finance, stablecoins and peer-to-peer transfers, sectors frequently exploited by illicit groups.
Leaders noted that the summit took place amid heightened geopolitical tension, widening inequality and expanding conflict zones. Expressing concern over civilian suffering, they reiterated support for international law, including the UN Charter and humanitarian norms, and condemned attacks targeting civilians or essential infrastructure.
The document emphasised that countries must avoid the threat or use of force to change territorial boundaries and underscored respect for sovereignty, political independence and fundamental freedoms.
In a strong political message, the declaration called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and improve representation for underrepresented regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Leaders demanded a more democratic, accountable and transparent Council with responsibilities shared more equitably.
With the African Union participating as a full member for the second year, the text stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s voice in multilateral forums. Meeting for the first time on African soil, leaders described the summit as a historic moment and reaffirmed solidarity with developing nations.
The G20 also endorsed South Africa’s Voluntary Energy Security Toolkit, designed to help countries improve energy resilience through innovation, emergency planning, interconnectivity and workforce development.
A major outcome was the adoption of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, a voluntary roadmap aimed at building transparent, sustainable and resilient mineral value chains. It focuses on diversification, exploration, value addition, local beneficiation, community participation and governance reforms, while protecting the sovereign rights of resource-rich nations.
Reaffirming the G20’s role as the leading platform for global economic cooperation, leaders stressed the importance of consensus-based functioning and equal participation for all members. They thanked South Africa for its presidency and confirmed future hosts: the United States in 2026, the United Kingdom in 2027 and South Korea in 2028. Saudi Arabia also expressed interest in hosting in the coming cycle.
