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Ambassador Meyer says SA is not insisting on G20 invitation

Published

Roelf Meyer, South Africa's ambassador to the US, said the government will not push for a seat at the G20 leaders' summit in December, despite lobbying from Europe. South Africa will still take part in the B20 business stream in Washington next month.

Meyer spoke in Cape Town, where he is launching his political memoir. He said it is neither here nor there whether South Africa gets a seat at the table. He also said that smoothing over political tensions with the US is just as important as building strong trade relations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz appealed to US President Donald Trump to include South Africa in the leaders' meeting. Trump said South Africa was excluded from G20 events in the US throughout this year.

Meyer said South Africa will send business representatives to the B20. He said: "We, as an embassy, will participate in the B20. So, at that level it goes on."

Key facts

Who
Roelf Meyer (South African Ambassador (to the US), launching political memoir); Donald Trump (US President); Friedrich Merz (German Chancellor, appealed to Trump to include South Africa in G20 leaders'…)
What
Ambassador Roelf Meyer said the SA government is not insisting on an invitation to the G20 leaders' summit despite European lobbying, and that South Africa will participate in the B20 business stream in Washington next month. He spoke in Cape Town, where he is launching his political memoir.
When
26 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Washington, Cape Town
Status
Reported

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