Online Reporter
Finance ministers gathered in Cape Town for a meeting of the Group of 20 wealthy economies failed to reach consensus on a range of issues such as climate financing.
The lack of agreement meant the group was unable to issue a communique, and instead released a summary of the proceedings.
“Since the Russia-Ukraine war it has been difficult to find a joint communique,” South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said in a closing briefing on Thursday. At this meeting, “new differences have emerged on a number of other topics, which make it difficult to have the joint communique,” including on climate finance, he said.
President Donald Trump has attacked renewable energy and climate programs since taking office on 20 January. His Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipped this week’s meeting – after Secretary of State Marco Rubio snubbed a similar foreign-ministers’ gathering last week — specifically citing South Africa’s theme and its focus on equality and climate change.
Godongwana said Bessent’s absence was due to other commitments.
Bessent originally “sent a note verbale to say that he is coming,” Godongwana said. But he had to skip the G20 gathering after Trump called a cabinet meeting, he said.
The released statement said the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors who attended the meeting “generally:”
“Expressed support” for South Africa’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
Stressed the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to address existing and emerging risks to the global economy, safeguarding financial stability, and further promoting strong sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, and job creation. – Bloomberg
