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THE G20 SUMMIT took place for the first time in Africa over the weekend, as many of the world’s leading economies met to plot a broad strategy for the next 12 months.
But it quickly turned unusual, as leaders faced competing distractions of a US boycott, the sudden reemergence of a deal in Ukraine, and the matter of the main work they were there to do.
Micheál Martin was also at the high-level gathering in Johannesburg after Ireland received an invite from hosts South Africa.
This came about due to historical links between both nations, and their shared position on a number of global matters, from Gaza to development in Africa.
Here’s a roundup of what happened at the Nasrec convention centre in Johannesburg.
G20 leaders were left rattled on the opening day of the summit by news that Trump was pressing ahead with a fresh plan to end the war in Ukraine.
The 28-point-plan stoked concerns for many of the western leaders at the summit, as it would force Ukraine to give up land, cut its army and also pledge never to join Nato.
The news saw leaders abandon their previously scheduled one-on-one meetings with other heads of state and instead hold an impromptu meeting at the sidelines of the summit.
You can read more about the antics here.
Ireland’s debut appearance at the summit saw Micheál Martin deliver an address calling for leaders to tackle “distorting” trade policies.
While it appeared to be a dig at the US, Martin insisted it was not afterwards when speaking to media.
Elsewhere, he received a healthy applause after he committed Ireland to a 10% increase in aid spending to fight deadly diseases.
But the visit was also a chance for the Irish business community in the country to have a shindig.
There was whiskey tasting, fancy Kerrygold appetizers and plenty of Irish dancing, naturally.
Given the talks fell on the same weekend that Ireland played the Springboks, the Taoiseach also gifted South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa with an Ireland rugby jersey.
A little gift for President @CyrilRamaphosa before Ireland play South Africa. Come on Ireland! pic.twitter.com/QQscWPPIfC
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 22, 2025
A big issue pushed by South Africa for its presidency was for a new framework covering how poorer nations carry crippling debts.
This year along will see African countries pay a shocking $89 billion approximately towards their debts – money that can not go on infrastructure or healthcare.
The emphasis was praised by leaders including Martin and UK’s Keir Starmer, while South African media also gave particular attention to the fresh focus, which they hope won’t be going away.
Elissa Miolene is from Devrex, a media group that covers global development at forums like the G20. She breaks down the focus South Africa has placed on debt restructuring for poorer nations
— Eoghan Dalton (@EoghanDalton) November 23, 2025
(Micheál Martin is among those reckoning that the emphasis was a success for the hosts) pic.twitter.com/H5qLrvRA3t
On climate, leaders agreed to focus on scaling up post-disaster reconstruction efforts and the need for adaptation. However, there was little mention of fossil fuels.
How the South African press is covering the G20 this morning:
— Eoghan Dalton (@EoghanDalton) November 24, 2025
- ‘surprise diplomatic victory’
- ‘proved global consensus can thrive without US’
- ‘hosting the summit gave SA a megaphone to shape debate’
- @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/cH15fZI5uR
The Trump boycott made the lack of American presence was a major talking point for a lot of the weekend.
On a shuttle bus transporting journalists, a South African asked if the Irish reporters present were “from Trump country”. While we were not, the same could not be said for the lone American who immediately got very sheepish.
It all gave rise to one of the weekend’s odder issues, over whether the G20 presidency would be formally handed over – as is tradition – to the next hosts, who were the US.
Trump had previously made outlandish claims of a “white genocide” in the majority black country as he sought to embarrass president Cyril Ramaphosa.
In the end, South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa closed the summit with a bang of his gavel and a promise that they would work together with the US when it takes up the presidency.
It’s understood a lower key handover is planned to take place with a junior US official this week.
The big question hanging over the summit was would it be able to achieve an agreement without the US.
The G20 was formed in 1999 after a financial crisis in Japan and is seen a having become critical to world affairs following the financial crash in 2008.
But what surprised many at the summit was not only that an agreement was reached, but that it was struck in its opening hours.
Those involved in negotiations said the lack of US involvement meant discussion were able to go smoothly, although there were tradeoffs, such as less ambitious language on issues such as climate change and LGBT+ issues.
It’s understood that opposition came from the likes Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia, who have been aligned with some of the US agenda under Trump – and they may well grow in influence next year as an unofficial bloc.
As the summit drew to a close, many were wondering what would happen for next year’s meeting, for which Trump is planning on using his Miami resort Mar-a-Lago as the venue.
Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, who leads a think-tank South African Institute of International Affairs, believes it will have a “much reduced” agenda under Trump’s leadership.
Sidiropoulos said gender may well feature less, and instead it will see a focus on “deregulation” of the global financial framework.
“There’s also potentially going to be a focus on energy in a generic way, not in terms of sustainability necessarily,” Sidiropoulos said.
Elizabeth Sidiropoulos (@Siderop) worked on this year’s G20 summit through her role heading up the South African Institute of International Affairs.
— Eoghan Dalton (@EoghanDalton) November 23, 2025
She says this weekend shows that the age of cooperation between states is under immense pressure, “if not coming to an end” pic.twitter.com/IfC3r77Tjg
But there was also a sense from some leaders that the days of the G20 in its current format were done.
In a striking address at the G20, France’s Emmanuel Macron said the forum was at the “end of a cycle” as leaders had failed to respond to multiple crises affecting the world.
After finishing his last engagement at the G20, the Taoiseach was met by a man eager to share with him a batch of Darjeeling tea.
Martin, who’s well known for his fondness for green tea, was delighted with the offer: “I have it in my office – I love Darjeeling tea.”
When the man offered to get the Fianna Fáil leader some more of the Indian supply, Martin reassured him there was no need.
“I’ll be able to procure it,” Martin told the man, before posing with him for a photo.
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