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South Africa — Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies are set to meet in South Africa on Thursday for a two-day summit, marking the first such gathering on African soil.
However, the absence of a top United States (US) envoy has cast a shadow over the talks.
According to The Manila Times, the meeting will begin with a keynote address by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
As the first African nation to lead the G20, South Africa aims to use its presidency to amplify the voices of poorer nations in discussions dominated by wealthier counterparts.
Read more: Trump’s threat to cut aid to South Africa could harm white farmers — Reuters reports
The G20, comprising 19 countries along with the European Union and the African Union, represents over 80 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.
However, tensions surfaced after US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced his absence, citing what he called Pretoria’s “anti-American” agenda.
Wars and conflicts in Africa and Europe are expected to be central topics of discussion, South Africa’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Xolisa Mabhongo, said on Wednesday.
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