Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile will attend and deliver a keynote address at the T20 Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue scheduled to take place in Pretoria on Tuesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Think 20 (T20), which comprises policy institutes and think tanks, is a vital platform for intellectual and strategic inputs that enables African perspectives to be more systematically articulated in global policy processes.
‘A hallmark of the G20’s legitimacy is its engagement with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders through eleven dedicated Engagement Groups. These groups provide platforms for business (B20), labour (L20), women (W20), youth (Y20), civil society (C20), think tanks (T20), scientists (S20), cities (U20), supreme audit institutions (SAI20), startups (SU20), and parliaments (P20) to develop independent policy recommendations and contribute to G20 deliberations,’ the Presidency said on Saturday.
Hosted by the AUDA-NEPAD Africa Policy Bridge Tank Programme, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD), and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), the T20 dialogue will be held under the theme ‘Strengthening African Agency in the G20 within the Emerging Global Order.’
The dialogue is expected to convene African think tanks, policymakers, academics, and international partners to generate Africa-centric policy recommendations that align with Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ‘It aims to bridge the gap between African policy priorities and G20 deliberations, ensuring that Africa’s voice is not only heard but integrated into the G20’s working agenda.’
The dialogue will also explore key thematic areas, including Africa’s strategic role in the emerging global order; multilateralism and trade reform; democracy and economic governance; social cohesion and inclusive growth; digital transformation and AI; debt and external finance; and climate change and sustainability, as stated by the Presidency.
The dialogue will take place from 29-30 April 2025 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre.