 "G20 logos are displayed at the media centre during the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)")
G20 leaders have called for a “just” and “lasting” peace across several global conflict zones, urging renewed diplomatic efforts to end the wars in Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and the violence in the “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” according to the bloc’s joint declaration.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened a G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday by emphasising the need for “multilateralism” to confront “the threats facing humanity today”.
His call was made to a room full of leaders from major economies around the world – with the notable exception of US President Donald Trump, who boycotted the summit.
“The G20 underscores the value of the relevance of multilateralism,” Ramaphosa said in an opening address.
Critical minerals supply must be protected from ‘geopolitical tensions’
G20 leaders said they would seek to protect the global supply of critical minerals from “geopolitical tensions” and “unilateral trade measures”, in a joint declaration during a South Africa summit Saturday.
“We seek to ensure that the value chain of critical minerals can better withstand disruptions whether due to geopolitical tensions, unilateral trade measures inconsistent with WTO Rules, pandemics, or natural disasters,” the 30-page leaders’ declaration said.
It comes with China’s dominance of critical mineral supply chains emerging as growing area of concern for the world’s industrialised democracies.
Calls for stronger multilateral cooperation
The G20 summit declaration states: “We emphasise the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to address existing and emerging risks to the global economy.”
The document further adds, “We will work for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory and Ukraine.”
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View AllTrump skips G20, alleging discrimination against white South Africans
US President Donald Trump and his administration chose to boycott the G20 summit, claiming that South Africa was treating white citizens “unfairly and cruelly.”
President Trump also objected to the host nation’s agenda, which focused on promoting unity and supporting developing countries in tackling climate disasters, transitioning to clean energy, and managing unsustainable debt burdens.