The highly anticipated G20 summit in Johannesburg is slated to proceed as scheduled on November 22-23, despite significant high-profile withdrawals from several world leaders. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing attendees at a city cleanup event in Soweto on Thursday from Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, staunchly declared that “boycott politics never work because the show will go on.” He further asserted that the summit would “continue and take fundamental decisions on matters that affect people of the world,” underscoring the forum's critical importance regardless of participant changes.

The United States President Donald Trump had announced the previous week that no American officials would be attending the summit, citing disputed claims regarding the treatment of white South Africans. This decision from Washington follows escalating tensions over South Africa’s foreign policy positions, particularly its persistent pursuit of Israeli accountability at the International Court of Justice concerning Gaza. Similarly, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be present in person, instead sending Premier Li Qiang to represent his nation. Russia and Argentina will also delegate representatives, as Russian President Vladimir Putin faces international travel restrictions due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Argentine President Javier Milei has reportedly aligned with Trump's decision to boycott, while Mexican officials have not yet confirmed the attendance of their nation's leader.

This gathering holds significant historical weight, as the Johannesburg summit marks the inaugural G20 leaders’ meeting ever to be hosted on African soil. The G20 group itself is globally significant, representing an impressive 80 percent of the global economy and comprising the world’s foremost developed and developing nations. President Ramaphosa conveyed his satisfaction with Johannesburg’s extensive preparations for the event, praising the observed infrastructure improvements during his recent inspection of the city’s revitalization efforts. He reiterated his firm belief that those leaders opting not to attend the summit would ultimately be