G20-Germany-Hamburg-2017

10 th Leader’s view
The theme of the Germany’s G20 presidency
– ‘Towards an Interconnected World’ –
recognises that our shared prosperity
depends on our collective ability to ensure
more inclusive development. Given the
centrality and urgency to address the challenges of
exclusivity and globalisation, the World Economic
Forum Africa met in Durban with the theme of
‘Achieving Inclusive Growth’ on 3–5 May 2017. The
importance of inclusive development is also contained
in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted
by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
is therefore an important reference for the G20’s
development work. This transformative agenda
provides a roadmap to guide the G20’s efforts to
deliver the means for implementing the SDGs.
The global development agenda is also mirrored
in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Agenda 2063, together with the 2030 Agenda, is
therefore the entry point for the G20’s engagement
with Africa: a people-centred, broad approach to
economic growth to build more inclusive, resilient
economies. Agenda 2063 presents a collective vision
for the continent to become “an integrated, prosperous
and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and
representing a dynamic force in the global arena” in
50 years. It seeks to provide a framework for Africa to
address the urgent challenges it faces: unemployment,
particularly youth unemployment; inequalities within
economies; jobless economic growth; slow regional
integration; and conflict and insecurity.
Ensuring the delivery of the means for
implementation
The UN’s review of the implementation of the
commitments on Africa’s development suggests that:
• more needs to be done to meet the continent’s
$100 billion infrastructure financing need;
• the productive capacities and structural
transformation of Africa’s least-developed
countries through industrialisation remain a
challenge;
• funding challenges persist for peace operations
and there is inadequate capacity to deal with illicit
financial flows; and
• non-tariff barriers are increasing despite
decreasing tariff rates.
The report points to the need to unleash Africa’s
potential. Building on the achievements of last year’s
Hangzhou Summit, the Hamburg update will provide a
meaningful platform for ensuring that the international
community’s SDG commitments are delivered. The G20,
bringing together the globe’s leading economies, is well
The G20 must partner with
Africa to take advantage of
the immense opportunities
that the continent possesses
Summit
2007
Elected
Jacob Zuma
President, South Africa
placed to make sure the means of implementation
are delivered in a timely and comprehensive manner.
Harnessing Africa’s youth dividend
Given the important role of youth in Africa’s
development, AU leaders decided at their 2016
summit to devote their 2017 sessions to ‘Harnessing
the demographic dividend through the youth’.
Between 2015 and 2050 Africa’s youth will almost
double to 452 million. By 2050, half of Africa’s
population will be younger than 25. If properly
harnessed, youth will determine the continent’s
development trajectory for the next 50 years and drive
Agenda 2063. Harnessing that demographic dividend
can be achieved through economic reforms that create
jobs, investments in human capital and efficient
governance. To derive maximum benefits at the
national level, a coordinated approach and response
are needed at the continental level.
Africa’s rural and urban poor are particularly
vulnerable to reduced agricultural production,
worsening food security, increased incidence of
flooding and drought because of climate change,
spreading disease, and heightening risks of conflict
over scarce land and water resources. This is
particularly relevant given that the continent is most
severely affected by the ravages of global environmental
change, yet the least responsible for it. Correcting and
preventing trade distortions in agricultural markets and
strengthening capacity for adapting to climate change
remain crucial enablers for Africa to make the most of
its agricultural capacity.
Bridging the digital divide
For Africa to take advantage of the Fourth Industrial
Revolution, our youth must have the skills to benefit
from digitalisation. Failure to do so will increase
unemployment and the dislocation of our youth. South
Africa therefore welcomes the eSkills4Girls Initiative
to bridge the gender gap and ensure that youth, girls in
particular, are equipped to take advantage of the digital
economy. More, however, must be done so that Africa
is not left behind or further marginalised, by ensuring
it develops the requisite infrastructure for information
and communications technologies. Transfers of
technology and skills are therefore critical enablers.
A rising Africa
The G20 must partner with Africa to take advantage
of the immense opportunities the continent possesses.
With more than a billion people and vast natural and
human resources, Africa presents an important source
of growth and development. But inclusive growth will
remain elusive if Africa is not prioritised. Every effort
must be made to fast-track regional integration of the
continent and support its industrialisation to spur
intraregional trade. The G20 can play an immense role
in ensuring we deliver the SDGs’ vision of “transforming
our world” by providing the means of implementation
to Africa and the developing world. And then we would
all be able to deliver our collective commitment “to leave
no one behind”. G20
G7G20.com July 2017 • G20 Germany: The Hamburg Summit 19