French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Saturday that the G20 is “at risk” of losing its purpose as global powers fail to unite on major international crises. His remarks came during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, a meeting overshadowed by the absence of the United States, which boycotted the event.
Macron said the group may be “ending a cycle” as it struggles to find common solutions amid growing geopolitical tensions. He noted that the G20’s effectiveness is being tested at a time when “some members are not even present at the table,” referring to the U.S. decision to skip the summit.
Despite Washington’s absence, G20 representatives approved a climate and global challenges declaration, drafted without any U.S. input. The White House criticized the move as “shameful,” while South African officials responded firmly, saying the document “cannot be renegotiated.”
Tensions also rose over a new unilateral U.S. plan to end the Ukraine war, which reportedly accepts several Russian demands. European leaders, including Macron, held side meetings to consider counter-proposals. Macron stressed that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. “There can be no peace without Ukrainians,” he said.
Macron cautioned that the G20 comprising 19 countries plus the EU and African Union is struggling to agree on basic principles like humanitarian law and national sovereignty. He urged world leaders to “re-engage” and take “concrete actions” to keep the forum relevant.
“We must show that this platform still works and can deliver real solutions for our economies,” he emphasized.
