G20 Summit Tests Global Cooperation Amid U.S. Absence

World leaders are gathering in Johannesburg for the G20 summit, hosted by South Africa. The meeting occurs under the shadow of an empty chair, as the United States President is notably absent. This has brought the concept of "ubuntu," a central theme of the summit, into sharp focus. Ubuntu is a philosophy emphasizing human interdependence and responsibility to one another. For this summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa promotes it as the spirit of multilateralism, or countries working together on global issues. This cooperative approach faces a direct challenge. The United States, under the Trump administration, has often favored unilateral action over international agreements. The empty seat at the G20 serves as a powerful symbol of this shift, setting the stage for a critical test of global diplomacy.