US
South Africa’s historic hosting of the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) in Kleinmond, Western Cape, wrapped up on a bittersweet note on Thursday, with the absence of United States delegates casting a shadow over the closing session. The US officials, who were set to receive the final declaration in person, had to pull out at the last minute due to a federal government shutdown triggered by a budget impasse in Washington. Instead, Parliament’s presiding officers announced that the document would be forwarded through diplomatic channels to the US, the next G20 host in 2026. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza officially closed the event, hailing it as a vibrant platform for dialogue and bilateral engagements that advanced global solidarity.
The summit, the first of its kind on African soil, brought together speakers from G20 nations and beyond to tackle pressing issues like climate finance, debt relief, and multilateral reforms. Despite the US snub – part of broader tensions since President Donald Trump’s return to office – delegates from countries including Russia, the UK, and Zimbabwe praised the discussions. As South Africa wraps its G20 presidency, the P20’s outcomes will feed into the leaders’ summit in Johannesburg next month, underscoring Africa’s push for a fairer world order.
Historic P20 on African Soil: Key Themes and Achievements
Held at the Arabella Hotel in Kleinmond from 1 to 2 October 2025, the summit gathered presiding officers under the theme “Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” It kicked off with pre-events: the Second Meeting of Women Parliamentarians and the inaugural P20 Young Parliamentarians Conference on 29 and 30 September.
Women parliamentarians adopted the Charter of Cape Town, a bold call for greater female roles in sustainable development and climate governance. Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli urged more women in these areas, while NCOP Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane highlighted rising populism, xenophobia, and nationalism as threats to solidarity.
The main sessions focused on disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing just energy transitions, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. Didiza issued a strong call for reforming international bodies like the UN, IMF, and World Bank to better serve the Global South. UK’s Sir Lindsay Hoyle stressed peace in the Middle East, while Russia’s delegation noted a “cold shoulder” from Western nations.
Didiza closed by noting the summit’s success in fostering dialogue and bilateral ties, positioning strengthened parliamentary diplomacy as South Africa’s G20 legacy.
US Absence: Shutdown Forces Last-Minute Withdrawal
The closing was dimmed by the no-show from US officials, expected to take the declaration as next hosts. Parliament confirmed four representatives were due to attend the two-day event but withdrew after the US federal shutdown hit at midnight on 1 October 2025.
Mtshweni-Tsipane explained: “We were expecting four delegates from the US, however, due to the shutdown, they were unable to attend.” The declaration will go via diplomatic channels, likely the US embassy in Pretoria.
The shutdown, caused by Congress failing to pass funding bills, has furloughed workers and halted non-essential services, including travel for officials. It affects international engagements, with impacts on immigration, consular ops, and more.
In the main, the US has skipped top-level attendance at South Africa’s G20 events this year due to tensions since Trump’s inauguration, including disputes over trade and foreign policy. Trump opted out of the leaders’ summit, citing scheduling, but critics link it to strained ties.
Final Declaration: Upholding Multilateralism and Global Cooperation
The P20’s final declaration recognises the importance of upholding multilateralism, resisting protectionism and promoting global cooperation in addressing multi-dimensional crises. It calls for reforming financial systems to ease debt for poor nations, mobilising climate finance, and ensuring just energy shifts.
Delegates affirmed parliamentary diplomacy’s role in peace, with calls for dialogue on global conflicts like the Middle East. Russia noted Western coolness but highlighted inter-parliamentary potential. Zimbabwe’s Speaker Jacob Mudenda pushed for debt relief and equitable mineral governance.
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