The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmad Abul-Gheit, has expressed his warm welcome and approval of the G20’s decision to grant the African Union (AU) permanent membership within the group.
Abul-Gheit praised this significant decision, describing it as “correct” and highlighting its potential positive implications for both the G20 and the African Union.
He emphasized that this move would contribute to strengthening the participation of African countries in decision-making processes and global economic positions. Furthermore, it would enhance the African continent’s ability to actively engage in addressing critical global issues such as climate change, energy security, food security, and other essential matters.
The decision to grant permanent G20 membership to the African Union was reached during the inaugural session of the two-day G20 summit held in New Delhi, India, over the weekend. This development signals the growing importance of the African continent on the global stage, given its young population of 1.3 billion, which is expected to double by 2050, making up a significant portion of the world’s population.
Africa is increasingly attracting investment and political interest from emerging global powers beyond its traditional allies in the United States and Europe. Notably, China is the largest trading partner and lender to African nations, Russia is a leading arms supplier, and Gulf nations have become prominent investors in the region. Furthermore, Turkey maintains its largest overseas military base and embassy in Somalia, while Israel and Iran are expanding their engagement with African partners.
The African continent boasts 60% of the world’s renewable energy assets and over 30% of the essential minerals required for renewable and low-carbon technologies. The United Nations’ recent report on Africa’s economic development revealed that Congo alone possesses nearly half of the world’s cobalt, a vital resource for lithium-ion batteries.
The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 underscores the increasing recognition of Africa’s significance in shaping global economic, political, and environmental agendas. This move is expected to lead to more comprehensive and inclusive global discussions and decision-making processes.
