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African Union Joins Third G20 Sherpa Meeting to Advance Africa’s Priorities Ahead of the G20 2025 Leaders’ Summit

African Union Joins Third G20 Sherpa Meeting to Advance Africa’s Priorities Ahead of the G20 2025 Leaders’ Summit

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July 24, 2025

In preparation for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025, the African Union (AU) delegation participated in the Third G20 Sherpa Meeting under South Africa’s Presidency, held on 25 - 27 June under the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The meeting, which marks the midway point of South Africa’s historic G20 Presidency, brought together Sherpas to review progress, reflect on key global challenges, and shape the path forward towards the Leaders’ Declaration.

Aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the African Union delegation highlighted Africa’s perspectives on critical global issues that continue to hinder inclusive growth, such as ongoing geopolitical tensions, climate change, hunger and persistent inequalities. The AU delegation emphasised the G20’s pivotal role in fostering sustainable, inclusive, and people-centred solutions, ensuring Africa’s voice and development priorities are effectively integrated into global decision-making processes.

H.E. Amb. Maria Silva, the AU G20 Sous-Sherpa, in her intervention on the session “The Contribution of the G20 to the Global Development Agenda and to Fostering Equitable Global Governance,” outlined the African Union’s priorities for strengthening global cooperation. She emphasised that, first, the G20 should continue to support the global development agenda by helping low- and middle-income countries free up resources for essential investments and services instead of using them to service debt. She noted that Angola, as current Chair of the AU, will host a Summit on Financing for Infrastructure in October this year to advance this objective.

Second, Amb. Silva called on the G20 to deliver on its Call to Action on Global Governance Reform, adopted during Brazil’s G20 Presidency in 2024, and to make finalization of the reform of the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment and the wider global financial system a top priority between now and 2030.

She further urged the G20 to strengthen dialogue on sharing responsibilities between governments and the private sector to address unsustainable debt levels, build a fair and inclusive international tax system, and tackle climate change. She welcomed Portugal’s proposal for debt swaps for climate and nature as a positive step, noting that this aligns with outcomes from the recent AU Debt Conference held in Togo in May 2025.

On geopolitical issues, Amb. Silva reaffirmed the African Union’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and called on the G20 to do the same. She stressed that relevant global governance institutions must remain central to any efforts to resolve conflicts around the world.  Download full statement here

The AU Sous Sherpa also provided the AU’s perspectives on the work so far accomplished by the three Tasks Forces under the Finance Track of the South African G20 presidency. On Task Force 1, which focuses on Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reducing Inequality, she called on the G20 to back coordinated policy measures that align with these priorities and remove structural barriers such as infrastructure gaps, limited access to sustainable finance, skills shortages, and institutional weaknesses. Regarding Task Force 2 on Food Security, she underscored the importance of the G20 building consensus on fair and stable food pricing, which remains a critical issue for the continent.

 

Turning to Task Force 3, covering Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation for Sustainable Development, she urged G20 members to endorse and actively support the timely implementation of the AI for Africa initiative, so as to ensure that emerging technologies contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth for Africa.

 

During the course of the 3days meeting, one of the key highlights was a dedicated session on the G20@20 Review, which offered Sherpas an opportunity to reflect on the G20’s achievements and challenges over the past two decades and consider ways to strengthen its relevance and impact in the years ahead. This session formed part of the preparations towards shaping an ambitious and balanced 2025 G20 Leaders’ Declaration.

The AU delegation, represented by AU Director General H.E. Amb. Fathallah Sijilmassi, presented Africa’s perspectives and priorities for the G20@20 Review, emphasising the need for the forum to deliver tangible outcomes for developing countries and uphold its commitment to inclusive global governance. He also shared the AU’s key elements and proposals for consideration in the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Declaration, ensuring Africa’s priorities are reflected in the final commitments to be endorsed later this year. Download breifng note here

 

Note to Editors

 

Following the African Union’s (AU) inclusion in the G20, the AU Assembly agreed on six key priorities to guide its engagement over the next three years. These are fast-tracking 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 (AfCFTA) rolloutimproving Africa’s credit rating and boost investment in vaccine manufacturing and pandemic response.

 

To ensure effective representation and engagement in the G20 processes, the AU has adopted specific modalities for its participation in G20 Ministerial and Finance Track meetings. These modalities outline a structured approach to advancing Africa’s priorities on the global stage:

  1. G20 Leaders’ Summits
    The current Chairperson of the African Union, assisted by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, will represent the African Union in the G20 Leaders’ Summits.

 

  1. G20 Ministerial Meetings
  • Meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs: The Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council, assisted by the Chairperson of the Commission, will represent the AU.
  • Sectoral Ministerial Meetings: The Chairpersons of the AU Specialized Technical Committees (STCs), assisted by the respective Commissioners, will lead AU delegations to G20 sectoral Ministerial meetings.

 

  1. G20 Finance Track Meetings
    The Chairperson of the STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning, and Integration, assisted by the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, will represent the African Union in the meetings of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

 

The modalities will be reviewed after one year of participation in the G20 to assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

For further information, please contact: Faith Adhiambo | Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org 
Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

 

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