Leaders of the G20, representing the world's largest economies, convened in South Africa and collectively signed a statement that strengthens their commitment to the Paris climate agreement. This action occurred in the absence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had urged other leaders not to endorse the joint declaration.

During the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the participating countries had reached an 'overwhelming consensus' on the importance of the G20 leaders' document. The statement emphasizes the necessity of addressing climate change, transitioning to clean energy, and supporting open trade.

Trump's decision to boycott the summit raised concerns about the potential impact on the forum's ability to address critical issues, including disaster preparedness and the global demand for essential minerals. The joint statement, which spans 30 pages, includes multiple references to climate change and the goals of the Paris Agreement, from which the U.S. is currently withdrawing.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed optimism regarding the adoption of the joint statement, viewing it as a positive indication of global cooperation on climate action. The statement also highlights the financial challenges faced by developing countries in meeting their emissions reduction targets, estimating a need of approximately $5.8 to $5.9 trillion for the pre-2030 period.

Additionally, the summit coincided with discussions at the COP30 conference in Brazil, where Australia's Energy Minister Chris Bowen endorsed a separate climate agreement aimed at phasing out fossil fuels. This agreement, known as the Belém Declaration, emphasizes the need for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, which are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite the commitments made at the summit, the Albanese government maintains that gas will continue to play a role in Australia's energy mix through 2050 and beyond, raising questions about the compatibility of this stance with the broader goals outlined in the joint statement. The G20 summit concluded with a call for continued advocacy for multilateralism, as leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of global forums.