South Africa voiced dismay on Thursday that Group of 20 talks it hosted on global economic issues ended without consensus, after top officials from several countries skipped it and delegates remained far apart on issues such as climate finance.

Finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the Group of 20 developed and developing nations have gathered in South Africa for a two-day meeting.

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - A number of finance ministers skipped a gathering of the Group of 20 top economies in South Africa on Wednesday, and other top officials curtailed trips to a meeting marred by disputes over the main issues of climate, debt and inequality.

A meeting of finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 nations in South Africa failed on Wednesday to come up with a joint communique, with a "chair's summary" issued by the host reiterating a commitment to resisting protectionism.

G20 talks hosted by South Africa failed to reach consensus, focusing on climate finance. Key finance officials from several countries were absent, and discussions ended without a joint communique. A chair's summary highlighted commitments against protectionism and the need for a transparent multilateral trading system.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Finance ministers and central bankers from the G20 top economies gather in South Africa on Wednesday and Thursday, for a meeting marred by the absence or curtailed attendance of key members and disputes over the main issues of climate, debt and inequality.

The Treasury secretary is the second top U.S. official not to attend the Group of 20 gatherings because of rising tension with South Africa over its land policies.

The two-day meeting in Cape Town ended without a communique, with current G20 leader South Africa saying there was not sufficient consensus to issue one. In his opening remarks at the event, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the fractured geopolitical climate and stressed the importance of international cooperation.