US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, citing concerns over the country’s actions, including the expropriation of private property. Rubio also expressed discontent with South Africa’s use of the G20 platform to advocate for “solidarity, equality, and sustainability,” which he claims is used to promote “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and climate change.”
In a post on X, Rubio stated, “I will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change.”
He emphasized that his responsibility was to prioritize the protection of America’s national interests. “My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism,” Rubio added.
The G20, comprising 19 member countries—including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States—represents 85% of global GDP, over 75% of international trade, and nearly two-thirds of the world’s population.
South Africa took over the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2024, a position it will hold until November 2025. The presidency of the G20 rotates annually among its members, with countries selected from different regional groups. The member countries are divided into five groups, mostly based on geographic regions. Group 1 includes Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United States; Group 2 includes India, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey. Groups 3, 4, and 5 include Latin American, European, and East Asian countries, respectively.