The event brought together representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African diplomatic missions, development partners and international stakeholders.
Opened by SAIIA Chief Executive Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, speakers included:
- Prof Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
- Prof Bartholomew Kingsly Armah, Senior Economist, AUDA-NEPAD
- Kesaobaka Nancy Mopipi, Policy Analyst: International Finance and Taxation, SAIIA
- Salim M’mdi Soilihi, Economic Counsellor, Embassy of the Union of Comoros
- Sijh Diagne, Advisor to the Vice President of Finance and CFO, African Development Bank
- Kathy Nicolaou-Manias, Programme Director for International Education and Partnerships and Regional Technical Advisor on Illicit Financial Flows at the UN Economic Commission for Africa
- Alex Benkenstein, Head: Climate and Natural Resources Programme, SAIIA
Speakers discussed identifying practical ways to sustain, institutionalise and better coordinate Africa’s development priorities across key multilateral processes, including the G20, Finance for Development follow-ups, UNFCCC climate negotiations and UN tax cooperation efforts. A strong emphasis was placed on the need for institutional continuity and that Africa’s G20 agenda should be continued across rotational presidencies instead of being lost each year.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of early alignment among African institutions, civil society, and partners to develop common positions ahead of major global engagements while noting that the US G20 presidency has a relatively narrow agenda.
They underscored that opportunities still exist for African stakeholders to engage strategically and sustain the momentum generated under South Africa’s presidency.
This dialogue forms part of an ongoing series convened by SAIIA and AUDA-NEPAD during and after South Africa’s G20 presidency, aimed at amplifying African perspectives in global economic governance.
Watch the full recording here.
