G20 in India: Shaping the Future with Africa’s Inclusion
The admittance of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member at the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 marked a significant enlargement of the group. The African Union, which has 55 member countries, now enjoys the same status as the European Union, the only regional group with full membership.
India recommended the move in June 2023, which was welcomed by the AU and other G20 countries. The inclusion of the AU in the G20 is an achievement of India’s Presidency and demonstrates its commitment to the Global South’s development agenda.
India’s Initiatives Under G20’s Presidency
India held the G20 Presidency since December 2022, adopting the goal of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam’ i.e. ‘One Earth · One Family · One Future’.
India’s goal for the duration of the G20 presidency became to encourage green development, financing for climate change, and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment); boost inclusive and robust growth; push for progress on the SDGs; facilitate technological transformation and digital public infrastructure; to reform multilateral institutions for the twenty-first century; and to support women-led development.
In addition, India launched new initiatives such as a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, a Startup 20 Engagement Group, the worldwide Sovereign Debt Roundtable, and a proposal for a worldwide biofuel alliance.
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The G20 presidency of India has highlighted its development collaboration with Africa and other emerging regions.
Through the Export-Import Bank of India, India has granted USD 10.5 billion in concessional credit lines to 182 African projects. Several landmark projects have also been developed by India, including the Pan-African e-Network Project, the Team-9 Initiative, the India-Africa Forum Summit, the India-Africa Trade Council, the India-Africa Health Sciences Platform, and the India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development.
India has also encouraged Africa to join international forums such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Nalanda University.
Opportunities For Africa Post-Inclusion In The G20
The AU is a continent of 1.4 billion people with a GDP of USD 3 trillion. This would provide a platform for Africa to promote its common interests and dreams on the global stage, such as implementing Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030, operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), mobilizing climate finance and technology transfer, and reforming international financial institutions.
It opens up new opportunities for G20 nations to collaborate and partner with Africa in areas like infrastructure development, renewable energy, digital commerce, health care, education, agriculture, tourism, and culture. It also improves mutual understanding and trust between G20 members and African nations.
Challenges Ahead
To guarantee coherence and consistency in its involvement with the G20, the AU will need to collaborate on its ideas and objectives with its member states and local economic groups.
To effectively participate in G20 procedures and meetings across all tracks and work streams, the AU will need to increase its institutional capacity and human resources. The AU needs to guarantee that its involvement in the G20 produces meaningful results and advantages for African development.
Conclusion
To coordinate its participation with the G20, the AU should create a specialized structure or unit within its institutions. To establish and express Africa’s viewpoints and priorities on the G20 agenda, this mechanism or unit should work extensively with the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, local economic communities, member states, civil society, business, and other stakeholders.
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The AU should seek financial and technical help from G20 members and other partners to increase its ability and resources for successful participation in G20 processes and meetings.
In its G20 involvement, the AU should take a constructive and pragmatic approach, seeking common ground and consensus with other G20 members on a variety of problems. The AU should also be agile and flexible in the face of changing conditions and rising global concerns.
The AU should track and analyze its G20 participation, assessing the impact and outcomes on Africa’s growth. The AU should also distribute and publicize its G20 participation to its member states and other stakeholders, emphasizing its accomplishments and problems.
