Jakarta. The G20 Johannesburg leaders' declaration has reflected the voices of the developing world, according to Indonesia, as the forum pressed ahead with the document despite a boycott by the world’s richest nation, the United States.

US President Donald Trump has boycotted the G20 Johannesburg Summit over claims that the host country has persecuted its white minority. G20 summits traditionally end with joint declarations, but the 2025 host, South Africa, decided to issue the document much earlier. The 122-point leaders' declaration, made without US involvement, mainly highlighted problems faced by poor nations, ranging from substantial debt burden to inadequate climate-related disaster mitigation.

“The leaders’ declaration is pretty long this time, but it includes many issues that are of developing nations. [The document] pays attention to how they can deal with debt, disaster risks, and challenges related to the international financial system,” Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir told a virtual press conference on Sunday early morning Jakarta time.

The declaration showed the G20 pledging to strengthen its common framework aimed at enabling eligible, low-income countries to access debt treatments in a “predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner”. The members were aware of how the high level of debt has prevented inclusive growth in many developing nations. The document made multiple references to climate change, while also stressing how poor countries had been struggling to mitigate their disaster risks.

Washington's absence remained an elephant in the room during the presser, as the Indonesian government did not directly comment on the boycott.

This marks the first-ever boycott by the US in the summit’s history. The US is the next in line to assume the G20 club’s rotating presidency.

Countries belonging to the so-called Global South grouping had been taking the helm at the G20. It started with Indonesia in 2022, followed by India, Brazil, and eventually South Africa in the succeeding years. The Global South is a commonly used term to describe the world’s developing and least developed countries.

“This shows that the Global South is not just a spectator, but a co-driver,” Arrmanatha said.

In a surprise twist, President Prabowo Subianto had skipped the Johannesburg gathering despite rarely failing to show up at international fora. He had sent Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka instead, marking the 38-year-old politician’s debut at a global forum. Gibran’s 3-minute speech emphasized accessible financing for all, including how international cooperation should be meant to “empower and not dictate” others.

"Indonesia believes that every country is entitled to chart its own development path because there is no single model that fits all. There is no such thing as the ‘best method,” Gibran told the G20 leaders.

“Cooperation must empower, not dictate. Cooperation must uplift, not create dependency.”

Gibran is expected to join another round of the G20 session on Sunday.

The G20 represents 85 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) and over 75 percent of international trade.

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