South Africa calls for deeper G20-AU collaboration

Addis Ababa, April 30, 2025 (FMC) – South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday called for stronger collaboration between the Group of 20 (G20) and the African Union (AU), highlighting South Africa’s efforts to align AU priorities with the G20’s key focus areas.

Mashatile delivered the remarks during the opening of the T20 Africa high-level dialogue in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. The two-day conference, which will conclude on Wednesday, is organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs, the Institute for Global Dialogue, the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, and the African Union Development Agency.

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on Dec. 1, 2024, which will run through November 2025. The T20, or Think 20, is an official G20 engagement group that brings together think tanks and research institutions from G20 members, guest countries, and organizations.

“South Africa has worked closely with the AU to ensure its six G20 priorities, ranging from inclusive development and fair finance to climate action and global governance reforms, are integrated into our presidency’s workstreams,” Mashatile said. “This includes our three G20 high-level task forces on inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment and reduced inequality.”

He also noted joint efforts with the AU to promote artificial intelligence and innovation for sustainable development and food security. “By investing in agricultural innovation, supply chains, and rural industrialization, we can ensure food sovereignty and economic empowerment,” he said, emphasizing that South Africa’s G20 presidency is for the benefit of the entire African continent, as called by Xinhua.

“We call for deeper G20-AU collaboration in peace-building on the continent, including sustainable funding for AU peace operations and mechanisms aligned to the Silencing the Guns initiative,” said Mashatile.