Johannesburg, Nov 22 (NationPress) The leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20), convened in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, South Africa, for the inaugural Summit on the African continent under the South African G20 Presidency, have officially adopted a declaration that tackles significant global issues. They discussed pathways to enhance solidarity, equality, and sustainability as essential elements of inclusive growth.

This declaration was embraced even with the absence of the United States, which boycotted the summit due to claims of mistreatment towards its minority white farmers by the host nation.

“The G20 emphasizes the importance and significance of multilateralism. It acknowledges that the challenges we face can only be tackled through cooperation, collaboration, and partnership. The endorsement of this declaration from the summit sends a crucial message to the world that multilateralism can and does yield results. It projects a message of hope and unity. It conveys to the world that as G20 leaders, we are committed to our pledge of leaving no individual, community, or nation behind,” stated South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Summit's opening.

Pursuing the summit's objectives, Ramaphosa had asserted that South Africa would not be intimidated by any party, affirming that the G20 declaration would proceed regardless of the United States' stance.

“Discussions are progressing positively. I am optimistic that we are edging closer to finalizing the declaration, and we are just finalizing the details,” Ramaphosa expressed on the sidelines of the G20 Social Summit’s closing ceremony in Boksburg on Thursday.

The declaration, adopted on Saturday, builds upon the priorities established by India during its notably successful presidency in 2023, where India advocated for a united commitment to focus on the world's development needs through this influential group comprising the globe's most powerful economies.

“For the first time, G20 Leaders have convened in Africa. Embracing the spirit of Ubuntu, we recognize that nations cannot flourish in isolation. This African principle, often interpreted as 'I am because we are,' highlights the interconnection among individuals within a broader societal, economic, and environmental framework. We acknowledge this interconnectedness as a global community and reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind through multilateral cooperation, macro policy coordination, global partnerships for sustainable development, and collective solidarity,” the South Africa Leaders' Declaration stated.

The declaration underscored that amidst a complex political and socio-economic landscape, G20 leaders reaffirm their faith in multilateral cooperation to collectively tackle shared challenges.

“We reiterate that, in accordance with the UN Charter, all nations must avoid the threat or use of force to pursue territorial claims against the integrity and sovereignty of any nation and should foster amicable relations among nations while promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, regardless of race, gender, language, or religion,” it articulated.

In an effort to combat terrorism in all its forms, the G20 leaders also expressed support for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional counterparts in ensuring effective implementation of FATF standards to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of financing across the global network.

“We stress the necessity of intensifying global initiatives to prevent the misuse of legal entities, enhance asset recovery, facilitate rapid, constructive, inclusive, and effective international cooperation, boost payment transparency, and encourage responsible innovation in the virtual assets sector while curtailing illicit finance associated with virtual assets,” they committed.

Earlier in the day, during a session entitled 'Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the concept of 'Integral Humanism' rooted in India's cultural wisdom, aimed at harmonizing progress with planetary wellbeing. He noted that several historic resolutions made at the New Delhi Summit have been carried forward.

Modi praised the initiatives undertaken under the South African presidency in various areas, including skilled migration, tourism, food security, AI, the digital economy, innovation, and women’s empowerment, advocating for a stronger voice for the Global South in global governance frameworks.

In line with the vision of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' geared towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth, Prime Minister Modi proposed four initiatives during his address at the first session, including the establishment of a 'Global Traditional Knowledge Repository' under the G20; a 'G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative'; a 'G20 Global Healthcare Response Team'; and a G20 initiative on 'Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus.'