G20: All eyes on Ramaphosa

Absence of China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin casts spotlight on President Cyril Ramaphosa

- Brian Sokutu

G20: President Cyril Ramaphosa will host leaders from 42 countries at the two-day G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg this weekend. Photo: GCIS

(GCIS)

Ahead of the two-day G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg this weekend, leading business, political and economic analysts have thrown their weight behind South Africa to deliver a successful event despite the absence of global leaders Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

The US president is boycotting the summit, while high-level officials will represent the Chinese and Russian presidents.

South Africa will still be able to issue a consensus declaration on Sunday, reinforcing the importance of global multilateralism in driving world affairs, the analysts believe. Trump's administration said it would oppose any G20 declaration beyond the chair's statement.

With South Africa seemingly unruffled by the US stance, analysts told the Mail & Guardian that Trump's absence posed no threat to an expected declaration, which has been marked by a year of deliberations.

With 42 countries confirmed to attend, China, Russia, Mexico and Argentina will be represented at the premier, ministerial and sherpa level, rather than the president.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has shrugged this off as “nota snub”.

Rothschild & Co South Africa executive chair Martin Kingston said there was “significant support for issues being taken forward under South Africa’s leadership”. The summit was “a culmination of a year’s work across a variety of issues that need to be addressed individually and collectively”, he said, adding: “Without the US, I am sure that there will nevertheless be a declaration charting progress and objectives.”

He said South Africa’s standing was enhanced by its successful presidency of both the G20 and B20, a G20 dialogue forum for the global business community.