South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged G20 members to strengthen cooperation amid global uncertainties, even as key finance ministers skipped the group’s meeting in Cape Town.
Speaking on X, Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of collaboration, warning that reduced international cooperation could undermine global growth and stability. South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December and is hosting the two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors.
The gathering has been marked by notable absences, including finance ministers from the United States, China, Japan, India, and Canada. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited “obligations in Washington DC” for his absence, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier skipped the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg, criticizing the format for alleged anti-Americanism.
Despite the absences, German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies downplayed concerns, stating that such occurrences were not unusual and would not hinder the success of South Africa’s G20 presidency.
South Africa aims to use its leadership to push for debt relief for developing nations, a just energy transition, and improved financing mechanisms for climate-related disasters.
