G20 declaration condemns terrorism in all forms, advances Global South agenda

NEW DELHI: The Group of 20 leaders summit in South Africa on Saturday adopted a sweeping declaration that condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and advanced a strong Global South agenda, continuity from Indias 2023 G20 presidency. But the adoption came with high political drama, after the communique was drafted without US participation, prompting a White House official to call the move shameful. Despite Washington repeatedly resisting under the Trump administration, the declaration highlights the gravity of climate change, calls for ambitious renewable-energy targets and flags the crippling debt burdens of developing nations. US President Donald Trump had signalled he would oppose any reference to climate change. Yet the text reflected deeper geopolitical rifts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of the weaponisation of dependencies, signalling unease over growing strategic vulnerabilities within global supply chains. For India, the declaration marked many of its priorities getting reflected. New Delhis priorities centered on the Global South were carried forward in multiple sections. The communique condemned terrorism unequivocally, reiterated the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure, affirmed safe, secure and trustworthy AI, and pushed strong language on womens empowerment, echoing Indias women-led development agenda. We reaffirm the G20 AI principles and recall the New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro Leaders Declaration on our commitments to harness the potential of digital and emerging technologies including AI. G20 Summit: PM Modi proposes four initiatives including one to counter 'drugterror nexus' We will work to promote international cooperation and further discussions to unlock the full potential of AI, equitably.., the declaration said. South Africas presidency reinforced disaster-risk reduction efforts initiated under India, while the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure won renewed recognition. The Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security were restated, and traditional and complementary medicine found mention once again. One of the most significant gains came on climate finance: the declaration recognised the need to scale funding from billions to trillions and estimated developing-country requirements at USD 5.85.9 trillion before 2030. It also endorsed sustainable consumption patterns and Indias LiFE agenda.