,” he noted, adding that middle powers could step up and push for reforms by issuing a joint declaration.
Global Absences: A Broader Context
While South Africa faces the challenge of Trump’s no-show, other global leaders are also absent. China’s President Xi Jinping will be represented by Premier Li Qiang, while Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are skipping the summit for various reasons. Despite these absences, all countries are sending senior delegations to represent their interests.
Despite the challenges, South Africa remains optimistic about its ability to achieve its goals through multilateral consensus. The G20 presidency offers an opportunity to bridge the developmental divide between the global north and south, pushing for equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
In a world increasingly divided, Professor Calland argues that international collaboration is more crucial than ever. “Human life on Earth is facing an existential set of challenges, whether it’s climate change, demographic shifts, technological revolution,” he stated, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to address these pressing issues.
