South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, has called for strong cooperation at G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, in spite of the absence of several key figures.

Ramaphosa warned at a two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the leading industrialised and emerging countries, known as the G20, that less cooperation between states threatens global growth and stability.

The South African leader said on X that at the time of global uncertainty and escalating tension, it was important for members of the G20 to work together.

Several key G20 state finance ministers, including those from the United States, China, Japan, India and Canada, are absent from the meeting in Cape Town.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced his absence a few days before the meeting on X due to “obligations in Washington DC.”

The U.S. plays a leading role in G20 agreements on financial and monetary policy issues.

Earlier, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had skipped the G20 meeting of his counterparts in Johannesburg, accusing the G20 format of anti-Americanism.

However, German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies told dpa that Bessent’s absence should not be over-interpreted and will not jeopardise the success of the first G20 finance ministers’ meeting under the South African presidency.

“It is not unusual for individual ministers to be absent.” Kukies will also leave a day earlier than planned due to a domestic political engagement.

South Africa intends to use its presidency to focus on debt relief for developing countries and a just energy transition.

Also, financing and insurance mechanisms for climate-related natural disasters will also be at the forefront of discussions.