International Relations Director-General Zane Dangor has confirmed that Argentina was the only G20 member state to raise concerns about the Leaders’ Declaration.

Delegates from across the world, except the US, are gathered in Johannesburg for South Africa’s historic hosting of the summit.

The Declaration was officially adopted on Friday after the majority of G20 Sherpas reached consensus.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei did not attend the summit at Nasrec, sending Foreign Minister Pablo Quirino in his place.

Milei, who took office two years ago, did not give reasons for withdrawing from the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged heads of state and delegates not to undermine the significance of the first-ever G20 being hosted on African soil.

Ramaphosa has urged member states to safeguard the stature, influence and significance of the Summit. He stresses that the forum’s leadership must protect the integrity and credibility of the G20 amid global challenges.

President Ramaphosa opened the G20 Leaders’ Summit by outlining some of the key priorities that the summit would be deliberating over the next two days.

“We have prioritised industrialisation, inequality, unemployment and security, and artificial intelligence. Much of the work of the past year will be presented and considered at this meeting.”

Read the full G20 Declaration in the document below:  

G20 Leaders’ Summit official opening: