Johannesburg: The G20 summit kicks off today in Johannesburg, South Africa, amid the absence of many world leaders and expectations of heated debate surrounding the US peace plan for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were among the leaders who canceled their participation in the summit, which is being held for the first time on the African continent. The presidents of Argentina and Mexico will also not be attending.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Trump administration is boycotting the talks entirely, accusing the South African government of “oppressing white farmers,” accusations which South Africa categorically denies. The summit’s host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that it will focus on issues of solidarity, equality, and international sustainability.

The summit will discuss ways to alleviate the debt burden on emerging and developing countries, a just energy transition, the fair and clean use of rare earth minerals, and equitable burden-sharing in climate protection and food security. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres called on G20 members on Friday to “use their influence and voice to end conflicts around the world.”