Moment: Organisers Forget to Cut Microphones for Closed Session at G20 Summit | Dawn News English

A technical mishap at the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday (November 22) briefly exposed the start of a closed-door session after organisers failed to switch off cameras and microphones following the opening plenary.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had already begun addressing leaders when members of his foreign affairs team alerted him that the feed was still live. As he spoke, Director-General Zane Dangor and Minister Ronald Lamola were seen conferring before stepping aside.
"I'm told that the cameras are still on… I don't know why that is so," Ramaphosa said, pausing as staff worked to cut the audio. The sound was eventually switched off and the session proceeded in private.
Before the cutoff, Ramaphosa had begun referring to what is believed to be a draft leaders’ declaration prepared without U.S. input after Washington chose to boycott the summit. Sources say the draft focuses heavily on climate-related commitments.
With the U.S. refusing to participate, Ramaphosa noted he would be handing over the G20 presidency to an “empty chair” ahead of the United States hosting the summit in 2026. South Africa has declined the White House’s offer to send the U.S. chargé d’affaires for the handover.
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