Khaberni - The G20 leaders of the world's largest economies met in South Africa today, Saturday, trying to reach an agreement on a draft declaration prepared without the participation of the United States, in a surprising move described by a senior White House official as "shameful".
Signs of climate change and Trump objects
The G20 delegations agreed on a draft leaders' declaration before the summit this weekend in Johannesburg, which includes several key agenda items on climate change.
Four informed sources said last Friday that the draft was prepared without seeking consensus with America.
One of those sources confirmed late last Friday that the draft included references to climate change, despite objections from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who questions the scientific consensus that the earth's rising temperatures are caused by human activities.
Trump indicated that he would boycott the summit due to widely discredited claims that the host country's government practices racial discrimination.
The U.S. president also rejected the host country's agenda aimed at enhancing solidarity and helping developing countries adapt to climate disasters, transition to clean energy, and reduce their excessive debt costs.
The American boycott hindered President Cyril Ramaphosa's plans to promote South Africa's role in enhancing multilateral diplomacy, but some analysts pointed out that it might benefit if the other members adopt the summit agenda and make progress in a substantive declaration.
Three out of the four major planned agenda items in South Africa's schedule are related to climate change; they are preparing for climate change-induced disasters, funding the transition to green energy, and ensuring that the surge in demand for rare minerals benefits the producers.
The fourth item relates to a more equitable borrowing system for poor countries.
To America
It is scheduled that the United States will host the G20 summit in 2026.
Ramaphosa said that he would have to hand over the rotating presidency to an "empty seat".
Meanwhile, the South African presidency rejected the White House's offer to send the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to take over the G20 presidency.
