Leaders from the world's major economies have issued a strong statement at the G20 summit, reaffirming their commitment to the Paris climate agreement and advocating for open trade. This joint declaration comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's absence from the summit, marking him as the only G20 leader to boycott the event.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday that the 19 participating countries reached an "overwhelming consensus" to endorse a comprehensive G20 leaders' document. The summit's agenda includes critical issues such as aiding nations in adapting to climate-related disasters, transitioning to clean energy, reducing excessive debt, and collaborating in the global pursuit of essential minerals.

Despite Trump's absence, the leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, united behind a 30-page communique that emphasizes climate change, net-zero emissions, and the Paris Agreement, from which the U.S. is withdrawing. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that the declaration was pushed through by Ramaphosa "despite consistent and robust U.S. objections." She added that the U.S. aims to "restore legitimacy to the G20" when it hosts the summit next year.

Albanese expressed optimism about the joint statement, calling it a "very positive sign" of global cooperation. He noted that the declaration reflects commitments already made by world leaders regarding climate action. A source involved in the negotiations indicated relief that the statement included a shared commitment to open trade, especially as Trump seeks to reshape global trade rules.

When asked if the statement was a rejection of Trump's policies, Albanese clarified that it simply reflects existing commitments to the Paris Agreement and climate action. He emphasized, "There is overwhelming support for action on climate change."

Domestically, the inclusion of "net zero" in the statement puts the Australian Coalition government at odds with the consensus of the world's largest economies, raising questions about its potential support for such commitments.

The G20 statement also highlighted the significant challenges and costs associated with meeting emissions reduction targets, known as "nationally determined contributions." It noted that developing countries require an estimated $5.8 to $5.9 trillion to implement these contributions before 2030.

As the summit progressed, the focus remained on the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing climate change and fostering sustainable economic practices.