A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by Mahash Saeed Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa, participated in the first G20 Sherpa Meeting in Johannesburg.
The meeting marked an important step in preparations for the 2025 G20 summit, which will be the first time an African country, South Africa, assumes the presidency. Additionally, the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 in 2023, further highlighting the significance of the event for the entire African continent.
Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, opened the meeting, outlining the country's priorities for its G20 presidency.
These include inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment and inequality, food security, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI). Three task forces will be formed to tackle these issues.
Al Hameli emphasised the UAE’s commitment to supporting South Africa’s G20 agenda, stressing the importance of constructive contributions from all participants. He also thanked South Africa for inviting the UAE to join the G20 process and commended Brazil for successfully hosting the G20 summit in 2024.
Additionally, a G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies meeting was held on 11 December 2024 in Johannesburg, with Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Assistant Governor of the UAE Central Bank, leading the UAE delegation.
The UAE's invitation to participate in the 2025 summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” marks its sixth G20 participation and its fourth consecutive invitation.
The UAE's involvement in G20, alongside its recent accession to BRICS in 2024, reflects the country's growing influence in global affairs and its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development for global prosperity.
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