International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has praised the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg as a success, despite the notable absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both Lamola and President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions that Rubio’s no-show signaled a US boycott of the gathering.
The US was represented by embassy staff from Pretoria.
The two-day meeting focused on pressing geopolitical issues, including ongoing tensions between Pretoria and Washington over the interpretation of South Africa’s land policy.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called Rubio’s absence “regrettable,” saying it reflected a decline in US engagement in global affairs.
“The US is here, but they’re not here at the political level, not with ministers. If he had come, he would have met almost all his colleagues because we had a very good turnout of other ministers. He missed a good meeting, and I think [his absence] sends a signal of reduced interest in global affairs from the US,” Eide said.
On Friday, Lamola delivered the chairperson’s summary, confirming that G20 foreign ministers have endorsed South Africa’s Presidency priorities.
These include sustainable development, debt sustainability for low-income countries, and reforms to global financial governance.
“The South African Presidency took note of the fruitful discussions and inputs on the various priorities and high-level deliverables. We look forward to the active participation and contributions of all your delegations,” Lamola said.
The meeting reaffirmed the G20’s role as the leading forum for international economic cooperation, emphasising collective responsibility in fostering sustainable and inclusive global growth.
The discussions also outlined key focus areas under three task forces:
- Task Force One: Inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment, and reducing inequality.
- Task Force Two: Food security.
- Task Force Three: Artificial intelligence, data governance, and sustainable development innovation.
Lamola also introduced additional initiatives, including a review of the G20’s work, a cost of capital assessment, a broadened Compact with Africa 2.0, and a new initiative on critical minerals.
On trade and economic reform, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo highlighted the need for changes in global governance, particularly the international financial architecture and multilateral trading system.
“Within the G20, there is strong recognition that the current regime of international trade under the World Trade Organization is not functioning optimally.
There is a general consensus among G20 members to improve the trading system,” Mabhongo said.
https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/g20-meeting-success-despite-us-absence/
