African Union's full membership in G20 gets overwhelming support: India's Sherpa

New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed making the African Union a permanent member of the G20, a proposal that has garnered overwhelming support from the grouping. Amitabh Kant, India's G-20 Sherpa, expressed confidence that the African Union will likely receive full membership during New Delhi's presidency of the G20.

PM Modi's letter to the leaders of the world's 20 largest economies, urging them to grant full membership to the African Union, has laid the groundwork for a potential historic inclusion. The proposal has been formally included in the draft leaders' declaration at the recent G-20 Sherpas' meeting held in Karnataka's Hampi from July 13 to 16.

The African Union, comprising 55 member states from the African continent, plays a crucial role in representing the interests and aspirations of African nations on the global stage. The move to grant it full membership is a part of India's commitment to benefit the Global South, particularly the African continent, during its presidency of the G20.

The discussions at the Sherpas' meeting focused on shaping the leaders' declaration for the upcoming G-20 summit in September, which is to be hosted in New Delhi. The draft declaration was built on the premise of PM Modi's meeting with leaders from 125 countries during the Voice of Global South summit.

Amitabh Kant highlighted that PM Modi's proposal has received widespread backing and expressed optimism that Africa will secure a permanent position in the G20 during India's presidency. However, decisions in the G20 operate under the principle of consensus, and any dissenting voice during the leaders' summit may pose challenges, according to officials.

PM Modi's call for granting G20 membership to the African Union comes as part of India's broader vision to strengthen the voice and representation of the Global South. India's priorities for the summit include promoting sustainable growth, accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), driving digital transformation, and fostering green development, among others.

India has been advocating for adequate financial resources to be provided to developing countries to support their efforts in achieving the SDGs and taking action on climate change. Climate finance has emerged as a critical issue in the global discourse, and India has emphasised the need for the developed world to fulfil its commitments.

In addition to supporting the African Union's full membership in the G20, India's presidency aims to address key challenges facing emerging markets and developing countries. These challenges include an international financial architecture that seems to be weighed against emerging markets despite their contributions to global economic growth.

The draft text for the leaders' summit covers six priorities, including the SDGs, green development, reform of multilateral development banks, digital public infrastructure, gender equality, and other outcomes from various working groups. With Africa's potential inclusion as a full member, the G20 summit in New Delhi promises to be a defining moment in shaping global economic policies and advancing the interests of the Global South.

The G20, a premier organisation representing approximately 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world's population, is a key platform for global economic cooperation.