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.
For instance, it 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 they get the best value out of their critical minerals.
But so far, discourse surrounding the meeting has been dominated by Donald Trump's very public decision not to attend.
The U.S. president stated he would not go due to the widely discredited claim that South Africa's white minority is a victim of large-scale killings and land grabs.
Relations between the two nations have grown tense, with the U.S. expelling South Africa's ambassador, cutting aid, and imposing high tariffs. Initially, Trump had indicated he would send Vice President JD Vance in his place, but ultimately opted for no U.S. representation at all.
South Africa's government remains diplomatic, denying claims of a white genocide and affirming that the summit will proceed regardless of the U.S. presence.
Despite the tensions, a recent U.S. announcement indicated that a small team of diplomats would attend the handover ceremony, albeit without engagement in discussions.
Concerns loom that U.S. involvement in the G20 may lead to South Africa being sidelined next year; however, South African officials maintain their rights as members of the G20 and emphasize the importance of their participation.
Professor Richard Calland from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership believes the summit can still achieve its goals without the U.S., potentially enabling middle powers to advocate for necessary reforms collaboratively.
Interestingly, Trump's absence isn't the only noteworthy one; other global leaders, including China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin, will also be absent, emphasizing a shifting landscape in global diplomacy.
Despite these challenges, South Africa's ambitions of fostering dialogue on critical issues for developing nations continue with the hope of producing a meaningful consensus at the summit.
