The United States says it is returning the G20 to its “core economic mission” as questions persist over the exclusion of South Africa from this weekend’s G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta from 30-31 October, saying the administration of President Donald Trump intends to reorient the grouping towards economic growth and security.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is returning the G20 to its core economic mission of driving growth, strengthening economic security, and delivering results for the American people,” the department said.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of Washington’s decision earlier this year to exclude South Africa from the G20 Leaders’ Summit and related ministerial processes, a move that has drawn attention given Pretoria’s status as Africa’s only G20 member.
According to the State Department, the Atlanta gathering will bring together foreign ministers from the world’s leading economies to discuss practical cooperation on economic and security challenges, including geopolitical crises affecting global supply chains, energy security, food security and freedom of navigation.
The meeting is also expected to help shape the agenda for President Trump’s G20 Leaders’ Summit later this year.
South Africa is the immediate-past chairperson of the G20 grouping and its omission from the Atlanta meeting remains notable amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Pretoria and Washington.
Relations have come under strain over a range of policy disagreements, prompting the US to boycott last year’s G20 meetings that were chaired by South Africa.
The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the European Union and African Union and accounts for around 85 percent of global economic output.
South Africa remains the continent’s sole national member and has traditionally served as Africa’s representative voice within the forum.
JN/APA