Experts, policymakers urge G20, African efforts for realizing continent's key priorities

Experts and policymakers have called for stronger African role and partnership with the Group of 20 to effectively address the continent's key development priorities.

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Experts and policymakers have emphasized the need to enhance Africa's role and partnership with the Group of 20 (G20) to effectively address the continent's key development priorities at the G20.

They made the call on Monday during a G20-Africa high-level dialogue, which was organized by the Presidency of the G20 South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU) at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

"The world needs more solidarity, equality and sustainability, which is the theme of South Africa's G20 presidency," said Alvin Botes, South Africa's deputy minister of international relations and cooperation.

"At the core of this theme is the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which resonates with the slogan of Agenda 2030 and related SDGs -- leaving no one behind," Botes added, referring to United Nations sustainable development goals.

Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, AU commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry and minerals, noted that "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability," the theme of South Africa's G20 presidency, is aligned with the AU's continental development vision.

The AU commissioner positioned the G20 as the premier platform with the "mandate and the moral responsibility to lead the way" in transforming the global financial architecture.

Under South Africa's presidency, the G20 has taken significant steps to elevate Africa's voice, creating an opportunity to craft an agenda for fairer access to finance, she added.

Following its inclusion in the G20 back in 2023, the AU has outlined six key priorities over the next three years.

These include fast-tracking the continental bloc's 50-year development blueprint Agenda 2063, advocating for reform of international financial institutions, enhancing agricultural output, achieving a just energy transition, promoting trade and investment for the African Continental Free Trade Area, and boosting investment in vaccine manufacturing and pandemic response.■