G20 Foreign Ministers Convene in South Africa Amid Geopolitical Tensions; US Absent

The G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting commenced in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20, 2025. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa called for multilateralism amidst rising global geopolitical tensions. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles of the UN charter and international law. The meeting, a precursor to the G20 summit in November, saw attendance from European foreign ministers, including those of France and the UK. Foreign ministers from BRICS nations, including Russia, China, and India, were also present. The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, did not attend the meeting. Accusations arose that South Africa was promoting an "anti-American" agenda following criticism from President Donald Trump regarding reforms aimed at addressing inequalities stemming from apartheid.