When it assumed the presidency of the G20 last year, South Africa hoped that as the first African country to host the gathering of world leaders, it could champion issues that mattered the most to developing nations.
South Africa wanted the 20 heads of state from the world's biggest economies to consider arguments that borrowing should be cheaper for developing countries, which pay two to four times more in interest on debts than more advanced economies.
Other themes of this weekend's summit include securing climate change financing, increasing the participation of African countries in multilateral forums, and ensuring that they get the best value out of their critical minerals.
However, the discourse surrounding the meeting has been dominated by Donald Trump's very public decision not to attend. The US president cited the widely discredited claim that South Africa's white minority is the victim of large-scale killings and land grabs.
The relationship between the two countries has become increasingly fraught over the past year, culminating in the US expelling the South African ambassador, cutting some aid funding, and imposing the highest tariffs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite initially indicating Vice-President JD Vance would represent the US, Trump ultimately declared that no US representatives would attend at all. In a last-minute change, the US announced it would send a small diplomatic team to the handover ceremony but would not engage in discussions.
South Africa's government has maintained a determined and diplomatic tone, denying the claims of genocide and declaring that the summit will proceed with or without the US.
As the situation escalates, concerns arise that South African diplomats may be sidelined once the US takes over the G20 presidency next year.
South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, asserted that the nation will continue participating in G20 events regardless of the US's stance.
Many experts, including Professor Richard Calland from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, opine that the absence of President Trump may actually create opportunities for consensus among the remaining nations, free from pressure to respond to his positions.
Other notable absences include leaders from Russia, China, and Mexico, though unlike the US, they are sending senior delegations to represent their interests.
Ultimately, South Africa's aspirations for its G20 presidency revolve around bridging development gaps and pursuing collaborative agreements, underscoring the critical need for multilateral engagement in addressing significant global challenges.
