Former Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa has hailed the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 as a positive development during the Think20 (T20) Summit held in Mysuru, India. Jomaa praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for advocating for Africa’s participation in the G20. He believes that Africa is well-positioned to become a dynamic multi-sector corridor that promotes innovation, development, and multilateralism.
The T20 Summit serves as an ideas bank for the G20 by bringing together think tanks and high-level experts to discuss pertinent policy issues. As the T20 Secretariat during India’s presidency of the G20, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is responsible for organizing the summit.
In addition to Jomaa’s remarks, Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of a2i Programme, highlighted Bangladesh’s efforts in utilizing technology and data for development. Chowdhury mentioned that despite starting its data journey relatively late, Bangladesh accelerated its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in symptom mapping and vaccine accessibility.
The summit also featured discussions on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of content verification online. Baratang Miya, Founder and CEO of Girlhype Women Who Code in South Africa, emphasized the need for a collaboration between private companies, public enterprises, academia, and civil society to lead conversations and address the impact of AI on society.
The conference’s sessions also covered topics such as sustainable development and the role of lifestyle choices in reducing emissions. Eenam Gambhir, Joint Secretary (G20) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, reiterated India’s commitment to incorporating development into all G20 processes. Meanwhile, Gladys Lechini, a professor at the National University of Rosario in Argentina, emphasized the importance of differentiated responsibilities based on each country’s vulnerabilities.
The T20 Summit boasts impressive participation from over 200 delegates representing 35 countries and 110 institutions. The attendees include ministers, diplomats, policymakers, think tank heads, researchers, civil society organizations, and prominent thinkers. With such diverse perspectives, the summit promises to provide rich and varied discussions on global issues.
As the host of the T20 Summit, the Observer Research Foundation is organizing the event under the auspices of India’s G20 Presidency. The summit aims to offer a platform for robust discussions and collaboration, ultimately contributing to the G20’s decision-making processes.
In summary, the T20 Summit in Mysuru witnessed Former Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa praising the African Union’s permanent membership in the G20, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for the inclusion. The summit covered various topics, including technology and data for development, the challenges posed by AI, sustainable development, and the role of lifestyle choices in reducing emissions. With a diverse range of participants, the T20 Summit aims to facilitate meaningful discussions to influence G20’s policies and actions.
