JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Group of 20 (G20) presidency will remain impactful and successful despite the United States' decision not to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders' Meeting, South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has said.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, on Thursday, Ntshavheni emphasized that the absence of the U.S. president will not "diminish" the importance or influence of the gathering, which brings together the world's major economies.
"Their absence is not unique to South Africa. It does not change anything. It does not diminish our work," she said, noting that other world leaders had confirmed their readiness to attend the summit.
Her remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his country would not participate in the summit and that South Africa should not be in the G20 at all.
Ntshavheni also highlighted the work her country has done since assuming the G20 presidency from Brazil in December last year. "South Africa has hosted 130 preparatory meetings, which were incident-free, and used the opportunity to showcase the diversity of our provinces and tourism destinations," she said.
As the G20 Leaders' Summit is set to take place on Nov. 22 and 23 in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city and economic hub, the minister said the cabinet is confident in the preparations and security arrangements.
"Comprehensive safety and security plans for the Leaders' Summit and the Social Summit are being managed and coordinated by the relevant security structures," she said. ■