Finance minister Enoch Godongwana. Picture: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach The United States (US), as the next host of the G20, has been adamant that South Africa will not be invited to participate in any of the meetings, including the leaders’ summit. Godongwana confirmed that SA will not be participating in the G20 finance track because it has not been accredited.
The forum brings together at least 20 of the world’s major economies to discuss global policies, and the finance track is one of the most crucial gatherings, led by finance ministers and central bank governors. The finance track meeting is crucial because it drives the core economic, financial, and stability work that underpins all the G20 decisions. According toBusiness Day, Godongwana confirmed the news on the sidelines of a government business breakfast ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting earlier in the week.
For a founding member to skip a G20 finance track meeting might signal a loss of influence and leave its voice out of the core economic decisions that shape global financial policy. The first Sherpa and Finance Track meetings will be held in Washington from 15 to 16 December. However, it is understood that SA has not received a formal communication from the US excluding it from the G20. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on the State Department’sSubstack accountthat it intends to bar SA from participating in the forum and replace it with Poland, “forging ahead with a new G20”.
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