G20 leaders endorse declaration on critical minerals, climate finance and debt relief, while addressing global conflicts and inequality at Johannesburg summit
JOHANNESBURG: G20 leaders endorsed a comprehensive declaration at their summit in South Africa on Saturday, addressing critical minerals access, climate finance and international debt reform.
The declaration committed to protecting global critical mineral supply chains from disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, unilateral trade measures or natural disasters.
Many nations are intensifying efforts to secure these minerals, abundant in Africa and essential for green energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles.
China’s dominance in critical mineral supply chains has become a growing concern for industrialised democracies worldwide.
Leaders supported “increased exploration of critical minerals, particularly in developing countries” to drive local development rather than just raw material exports.
The declaration called for a “just, comprehensive, and lasting peace” in Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the “Occupied Palestinian Territory” based on the UN Charter.
It urged countries to “refrain from the threat or use of force … against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state”.
Western leaders also responded to US President Donald Trump’s unilateral plan to end the Ukraine war on terms favouring Russia during summit sidelines.
South Africa prioritised fighting inequality, with President Cyril Ramaphosa commissioning an expert report on wealth disparities.
The declaration emphasised addressing “disparities in wealth and development both within and between countries” as imperative.
Leaders called for international financial system reforms to help low-income countries manage debt burdens hindering development and essential investments.
They demanded more transparency from lenders, including private sector institutions, and backed IMF review and global minimum tax efforts.
The declaration recognised the need to scale up climate finance “from billions to trillions globally from all sources” as COP30 talks concluded in Brazil.
It highlighted Africa’s energy access inequalities and called for increased, de-risked investments in sustainable energy transitions.
Leaders committed to developing early warning systems for climate-linked disasters, noting least developed countries face disproportionate impacts.
The text notably omitted any mention of fossil fuel phaseout, reflecting ongoing divisions on energy transition timelines. – AFP
