By Marcus Moloko
South Africa’s welcome to world leaders for the G20 Leaders Summit has begun amid diplomatic frictions and calls for unity.
The country has officially begun hosting the G20 Leaders Summit, with several heads of state already touching down in Johannesburg.
Among the first to arrive were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, China’s Premier Li Qiang, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive on Friday.
While some leaders arrived earlier this week, the summit taking place at the Nasrec Expo Centre on 22 – 23 November will mark the first time the G20 is hosted on African soil.
The United States of America (US) will take over the G20 presidency from South Africa.
42 countries and organisations have confirmed attendance. Expected leaders include:
- Narendra Modi (India)
- Emmanuel Macron (France)
- Olaf Scholz (Germany)
- Fumio Kishida (Japan)
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil)
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
- Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia)
- Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa – Host)
Notably absent is American President Donald Trump, whose administration has declined to send a delegation, citing unresolved diplomatic tensions.
The summit unfolds against a backdrop of geopolitical strain:
- US – China relations remain tense over trade, Taiwan, and cybersecurity.
- EU – Russia dynamics are strained due to the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing sanctions and energy disputes.
- Middle East instability continues to affect global oil markets and refugee flows.
African leaders are pushing for debt relief and equitable climate financing, often sidelined at previous summits.
The South African presidency has emphasised inclusive development, climate justice, and digital transformation as key themes. The absence of the US threatens to dilute consensus on global action, especially on climate and trade.
Leaders on social media have urged for a renewed spirit of cooperation.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said the country needed to rise above differences and commit to solutions that serve all humanity.
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