South Africa’s Presidency enters last 100 days before G20 Summit

CAPE TOWN - With more than half of the country’s G20 meetings having already taken place, South Africa’s Presidency of the grouping has entered the last 100 days.

The government is now counting down to the leaders’ summit in November.

But it remains unclear whether US President Donald Trump, who is expected to take over the Presidency, will attend.

With 87 out of the 132 meetings on the G20 calendar already crossed off, G20 working groups are now seized with negotiations on ministerial declarations and outcomes.

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While the development working group and the employment working group have already achieved this, the finance track is not quite there, having only agreed to a communique on macro-economic issues.

The next round of ministerial meetings will take place next month, withkey meetings on food security and industrialisation and agriculture to take place in Egypt and Nigeria, respectively.

Of particular significance is the second meeting of foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the 25th of next month.

With preparations towards the leaders’ declaration also underway, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says while all leaders are naturally invited, it’s yet unclear who will come to the November summit.

"If President Trump sends somebody else, it’s his decision. We will proceed with the G20 Leaders’ summit with or without President Trump. It’s an unpredictable situation."

Meanwhile, Lamola said he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.