By Miroslav Atanasov, Ph.D., Renmin University of China
The G-20 group symbolizes political and economic power, which dominates the world's agendas and selects priorities for global development. This year's summit will take place in Hangzhou, China on September 4-5. Beijing's bold move to invite several developing countries, including a few African nations, is extraordinary, making this year's G20 the most inclusive ever.
Even though all G-20 countries support national policies to cooperate with Africa, the group did not have an African agenda, but that had changed during the Australian presidency in 2014 when Canberra established a structured unified African policy for G-20.
This was not a mere philanthropic gesture, but a logical move to bring about much needed balance to the global economy and placing it closer to its pre-2008 state. Dr. Heather Smith, a leader in Australia's G-20 delegation, said, "Stability is at the core of what we are trying to achieve. We accept that the financial crisis was created in developed economies, but we are all connected."
She added, "We need Africa to be part of the change because the poorest of the poor were the hardest hit." This year China is taking the Australian initiative further, which reflects Beijing's commitment to Africa.
The recent invitation of the Republic of South Africa to become a full-fledged member of the forum is timely. The country's GDP (gross domestic product) in 2010 stood at $ 527.5 billion making it the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world. South Africa has enjoyed a diversified economy, dominated by the service sector (65%) followed by manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.
It is the largest producer of platinum, manganese and chrome and has significant amounts of gold and coal. Its dominant trading partner is China, but exports to the United States, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, and other African countries. Its economic growth rate is relatively low at 4%, while unemployment is 30%, which has created great social inequality; its national debt is relatively low – at 40% of GDP.
At a G-20 working dinner in 2009, South African President Jacob Zuma said, "As Africa we bring to the G-20 summit the key message that we must act together as the developing and developed world, promote stronger and more effective and equal international partnerships for growth and development."
South Africa carries a heavy burden of responsibility. Even though internationally the country carries relatively a small weight in global affairs, but on the African continent it stands tall as a pivotal player.
One of the reasons South Africa was given such a leadership role was to attract the world's attention to regional issues. Even though it has not received a mandate from other African states, South Africa has the capacity to draw more attention to the Global South.
People and experts disagree on how South Africa's position in the G-20 would impact the region. Some believe the nation has a moral obligation to serve as a tribune for African matters, while others fear it's becoming an African hegemony.
A major obstacle to adequate representation for Africa is that South Africa has very different and more liberal policies from the rest of the continent in regards to its natural resources, investment, infrastructure, and social issues.
Yet South Africa's participation in the G-20 forum gives it an opportunity to shape dialogue on global agendas and guide the world's economy as it sits together with the most developed economies. Accordingly, the G-20 gains greater legitimacy on the world's stage.
South Africa can contribute to the G-20's Growth and Development Agenda and focus on discussions on behalf of low income countries particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa along with two other guest countries from Africa – Mauritania and Senegal - will join in on discussions. Egypt has also been invited.
Africa with its vast wealth of natural resources and young population holds an important place in the world's economy, which has been ignored by developed nations for far too long. Africans face multiple challenges, such as poor infrastructure, energy deficiency, and insufficient industrialization, but the future of the continent remains bright.
Participation of emerging nations, especially African countries in the G-20 forum, allows new voices to gain greater influence in the global political and economic arena. They can articulate and establish fresh priorities, which will create better expectations for the global economy.
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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