IN PICS | Day 1: G20 Leaders’ Summit at Nasrec

The summit saw a number of sessions held on day one, with some closed meetings also taking place where delegates discussed several issues from trade to financing and development.

Before delegates broke off into smaller sessions, President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the summit with a public address.

IN PICS: World leaders arrive in SA for G20 Leaders’ Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially welcomed world leaders to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, saying nothing should be allowed to diminish its value or stature.

As the first G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Africa, Ramaphosa said it carries hope and must reflect the aspirations not only of the continent, but the world.

Ramaphosa: Nothing should be allowed to diminish G20 Leaders’ Summit’s value or stature

"It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all to the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held on African soil.

We gather here at the Cradle of Humankind to affirm our common humanity.

We gather here to affirm the value of partnership and cooperation, to finding common solutions to shared problems."

FULL SPEECH | Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Opening of the G20 Leaders’ Summit

Tensions brewed outside the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, where members of Operation Dudula staged a protest against the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Operation Dudula cited the unemployment crisis, immigration issues, and corruption as key matters that the government should prioritize instead of hosting global events at this time.

Tensions rise outside Nasrec as Operation Dudula protests G20 Summit

Police fired tear gas and pepper spray at dozens of Operation Dudula members protesting outside the Nasrec Expo Centre.

Operation Dudula unhappy with police response to G20 protest

Police opened a criminal case against Operation Dudula following a tense protest outside the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

The charges include incitement of public violence, violating a court order, and assaulting a police officer.

G20: Police open criminal case against Operation Dudula

The G20 leaders attending a meeting in Johannesburg adopted their summit declaration.

“We would like therefore to put the proposed declaration as the G20 South Africa leaders’ declaration to put it forward for your adoption.” Ramaphosa said.

G20: Summit declaration adopted by consensus

The foreign minister of Argentina, Pablo Quirno, said his country can’t support the declaration adopted by most countries at this weekend’s G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Argentina officially joined the United States (US) as one of only two countries to voice their objections to the declaration, before its full adoption at the end of the summit on Sunday.

Quirno says Argentina can’t support G20 Leader’s Summit declaration

The final declaration of G20 leaders’ meeting has been published with a strong focus on development issues in Africa, including promoting economic growth and trade.

In a break from tradition, leaders on Saturday adopted the final declaration right at the onset of the first of two days of meetings in Johannesburg, with the United States (US) absent from the talks.

G20: Final declaration published with strong focus on development issues in Africa

Oxfam's 'Big Heads' are giant papier-mâché caricatures of world leaders used in street theatre and protests to draw public attention to global issues. 

These large-scale puppets have become an iconic part of Oxfam's awareness campaigns at major international events like the G7 and G20 summits. 

G20 partners and world leaders have called for greater cooperation to tackle the unique structural challenges facing the globe.

Countries like the United Kingdom (UK) also want more open and balanced trade to address imbalances that can disrupt the flow of trade between nations.