US boycott of G20 Leaders' Summit 'doesn’t diminish our work' - Ntshavheni

With nine days to go before hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Cabinet says it’s all systems go. 

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that government remains unfazed by the United States’ indications that it will boycott next weekend’s final event in South Africa, despite taking over the presidency next year.

Ntshavheni said the US’s absence could facilitate consensus being reached among other nations to produce a declaration.

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Minister Ntshavheni said Cabinet was satisfied that the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting was able to reach consensus. 

The fourth sherpa meeting, which will be working on a declaration and the social summit next week, are the last G20 events before the leaders’ summit. 

With 130 meetings having been held in provinces across the country, South Africa is now readying to host world leaders, not only from G20 nations. 

Ntshavheni said the absence of the United States won’t affect the programme in any way.

"It doesn’t change that they take over. They take over because of the rotation, so it doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t diminish our work. South Africa will remain part of the troika of the outgoing chair, the chair and the incoming chair."

The president is expected to visit the Nasrec Exhibition Centre on Friday, where the leaders’ summit will be held.

Announcements on special invited guests are also expected at a readiness briefing to be held over the weekend.

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