STORY: G20 amplifies Global South voice, with more cooperation, development opportunities
DATELINE: Sept. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:24
LOCATION: New Delhi
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of G20 summit held in New Delhi
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVE PATRICK LALANDE, Director of the partnerships management and resource mobilization directorate of the AU Commission
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALBERT MUCHANGA, AU commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, Industry and minerals
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WIRUN PHICHAIWONGPHAKDEE, Director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MATHAPELO MONAISA, South African journalist
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): AKHILESH SUMAN, Senior Indian journalist and geopolitics expert
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO of Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development, Pakistan

STORYLINE:

The Group of 20 (G20) members agreed Saturday to accept the African Union (AU) as a new member in an effort to give a greater voice and more representation to developing countries.

The AU, whose previous designation was "Invited International Organization" of the G20, now has the same status as the European Union (EU).

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVE PATRICK LALANDE, Director of the partnerships management and resource mobilization directorate of the AU Commission
"I think it is a landmark, it is a gradual process. So it is good news and we have huge expectations that the voice of the African people will be heard so that development is well promoted worldwide."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALBERT MUCHANGA, AU commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, Industry and minerals
"We are committed to multilateral cooperation, so we go to the G20 with that commitment to multilateral cooperation. So, we are going to add value."

The G20's approval is a response to a widespread call that China first explicitly made.

Observers believe it is a clear signal that the Global South will attract more cooperation and development opportunities as China and other major economies have pledged support for the region to shine in the global arena.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WIRUN PHICHAIWONGPHAKDEE, Director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative
"As a member of the developing countries, China has consistently prioritized the practical needs of developing countries and is committed to promoting South-South cooperation, providing opportunities for developing countries to participate in global governance."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MATHAPELO MONAISA, South African journalist
"It's increasingly (clear) that China has been in support of Africa as a continent. There's a lot of cooperation between African countries with China. I think we can only become stronger, going forward and continue to fortify our position in the world."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): AKHILESH SUMAN, Senior Indian journalist and geopolitics expert
"Actually, this is a very welcome step that all countries of the G20 are agreeing that African Union should be accommodated in the conglomeration. I think that they will play a very vital role because there will be a balance between economically developed countries and economically less developed countries."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO of Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development, Pakistan
"Inclusion of the African Union in a global platform will make that global platform more inclusive and people-oriented, that inclusivity and the people-oriented approach to make the world a better place to live, a prosperous world."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from New Delhi.
(XHTV)