G20 china_web

Guest leader's view
Macky Sall
President of the Republic of Senegal
GUEST LEADER'S VIEW
Bolstering our hopes in
beautiful Hangzhou
Africa has a key role to play in bringing innovation
to global affairs, says President Macky Sall
When uncertainties remain
and risks increase, the role
played by innovation in
influencing the course of
world affairs becomes ever
more vital. The theme of the 2016 G20 summit
in China is therefore highly pertinent: 'Towards
an innovative, dynamic, interconnected, and
inclusive world economy.' The challenge it sets
is to find new ideas and bring forth proposals
to inspire new ways of propelling global
development. At each G20 summit, I have noted
real political impetus in this direction.
Africa's role
The world agrees that Africa has a key role
to play in achieving this great ambition
of bringing innovation to global affairs,
particularly in the economic and financial
sectors. Ensuring the growth of the global
economy will require access to the continent's
vast reserves of natural resources, its substantial
population, and its human capital. For a
variety of reasons, Africa remains a part of
the world where even the very foundations for
development are yet to be laid. Infrastructure,
energy, education and training are in many
cases, blank canvases awaiting investment.
Innovation is not solely a matter of
technology. It is also, and more importantly,
a way of formulating new strategies to more
effectively overcome obstacles, a tool for enabling
the world economy to push the boundaries of
productivity and a mechanism that can ensure
healthy and sustainable global growth. Giving
priority to Africa and replacing the focus on aid
with investment and partnership strategies,
particularly in the sectors cited above, is not only
necessary, but also crucial to the global economy
as a way of increasing prosperity in all countries.
Change for progress
I call on the G20 leaders to engage more
actively in reform of the international tax
system, which must facilitate Africa’s ability
to leverage its natural resources. A more
appropriate taxation system is required that
would allow more resources allocated to
developing countries, particularly in Africa.
Likewise, tax evasion and fraud are significant
factors in hindering growth. The continent also
needs the support of the G20 for a change in
current legislation, ensuring that countries are
not unduly penalised. It is a matter of equality.
I am sure that China's presidency of the
G20 will intensify the efforts already made in
this direction, whilst sharing its vast experience
in development and innovation, which has
succeeded beyond question. China has
achieved spectacular results in a very short
period of time. This summit will give me the
opportunity, as President of Senegal, to
witness the dynamic cooperation between
our two countries, sharing values of peace
and solidarity.
I hope that the G20 summit, in the beautiful
city of Hangzhou, will bolster our hopes of a better,
more peaceful and more prosperous world. G20
40 G20 China: The Hangzhou Summit • September 2016 G7G20.com