International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has sought to clarify the absence of the US at the third G20 Sherpa meeting currently underway in Sun City in the North West.

Lamola says the US has sent a letter of apology stating that they would not be attending the meeting due to other commitments.

A addressing the media on the margins of the gathering, Lamola said South Africa was not concerned about these developments.

Video | G20 Sherpas meeting in Sun City:

Lamola says the US sent them an apology citing that their Sherpa is attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.

“We take that as an apology. We are not concerned. We think that the G20 should be able to function with all the member states who are here of the G20, and they have provided us an apology. So, we take it at face value, and we think we will be able to come out with very progressive and ambitious outcomes of this meeting,” adds Lamola.

#G20SouthAfrica | Minister Ronald Lamola, delivers the opening remarks at the High-Level Session of the Third #G20Sherpa Meeting in Sun City, North West Province.

Minister observed the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter which was adopted on 26 June 1955. pic.twitter.com/vUhGV0VaRM

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) June 26, 2025