G20 Foreign Ministers Meet in South Africa Without US Representation

High - level diplomats from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies are set to meet in South Africa on Thursday, focusing on global issues amid the absence of the United States' top envoy.

The two-day talks, a prelude to the G20 summit in November, mark the first time the foreign ministers' meeting is being held in Africa. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address.

South Africa, the first African nation to lead the G20, has positioned its presidency as an opportunity to amplify the voices of poorer nations. The G20, comprising 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union, accounts for over 80% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population.

However, the US will not participate at a high level after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to attend, citing South Africa’s alleged "anti-American" stance. Instead, Dana Brown, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Pretoria, will represent Washington.

Key topics include ongoing conflicts in Africa and Europe, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war. Tensions have escalated following US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks, which appeared to blame Kyiv for Russia’s 2022 invasion.

High-profile attendees include Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as well as Chinese and Indian counterparts. European diplomats such as France’s Jean-Noel Barrot and UK’s David Lammy will also be present.

Despite the US absence, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola reassured that Washington remains diplomatically engaged, though experts warn that Rubio’s decision to skip the meeting sends a "symbolic message" that the US is not prioritizing Africa.

Adding to tensions, the US recently froze crucial aid to African nations, forcing many governments to seek alternative funding. South Africa has also been at odds with Washington over land reform policies and its legal challenge against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also announced his withdrawal from next week’s G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town.

The Trump administration punished South Africa with an executive order this month that cut all U.S. aid and assistance to the country over what it called its anti-American stance. 

The order criticized South Africa’s decision to accuse U.S. ally Israel of genocide in Gaza in an ongoing case at the United Nations’ top court as veiled support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Trump administration also cited what it called South Africa’s relationship with Iran and the Communist Party in China.

South Africa, which currently holds the G20 presidency, opened the group’s first major meeting of the year on Thursday.