US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refuses to attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa
Washington, DC: Citing concerns about South Africa’s activities, such as the seizure of private property, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he would not be attending the next G20 conference in Johannesburg.
He also attacked South Africa for promoting “solidarity, equality, and sustainability” via the G20 platform in order to advance “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and climate change.”
Rubio shared a post on X that said, “I’m not going to the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. South Africa is acting in a very negative manner. taking private property away. G20 is being used to advance “solidarity, equality & sustainability.” Stated differently, DEI and climate change.
Rubio emphasized that protecting America’s national interests is his top priority.
He said, “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.”
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States are among the 19 nations that make up the G20.
The G20 countries include the world’s largest economies, accounting for about 75% of worldwide commerce, 85% of global GDP, and over two-thirds of the world’s population.
Notably, from December 1, 2024, until November 2025, South Africa served as the G20 Presidency.
The G20 presidency is chosen from a different geographical group of nations and alternates among the members every year. As a result, the 19 member nations are separated into five groups, each of which may include no more than four nations.
The majority of the groupings are regionally based, meaning that nations from the same area are often included in the same category. The only countries that deviate from this trend are Groups 1 (Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United States) and 2 (India, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey).
Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil are in Group 3; France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom are in Group 4; and China, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea are in Group 5.
