ISTANBUL

South Africa is set to welcome the G20 foreign ministers in Johannesburg, but without the presence of the US.

The two-day meeting will kick off on Thursday under South Africa’s G20 presidency, which marks the first time that an African country presides over the international forum under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

South Africa’s G20 presidency will prioritize “disaster resilience, debt sustainability, just energy transition, and critical minerals for inclusive growth,” Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo said in a news briefing on Wednesday.

In the briefing, Mabhongo alongside advocate Nokukhanya Jele confirmed that over 30 countries will be represented at the meeting.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will not attend the meeting in Johannesburg, as Washington has stopped aid to South Africa over a new land appropriation law as well as dragging Israel to the International Court of Justice over its genocidal war on Gaza.

The G20 presidency rotates annually among members, as the intergovernmental forum does not have a permanent secretariat or staff. South Africa’s presidency came after it became a permanent member in late 2023, following Brazil’s presidency.

The 19 states within the G20, apart from the international members EU and African Union, represent 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.