US President Joe Biden plans to announce at the US-Africa summit next week that his administration supports the entry of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, the White House said. The African Union represents 54 countries of the continent. The G20 includes the world’s leading industrialized and emerging economies, which account for more than 80% of global GDP. South Africa is currently the only African member of the G20.

“It is high time for Africa to have permanent seats at the negotiating table in international organizations and initiatives,” Judd Devermont, senior director of the National Security Council for African Affairs, said in a statement on Friday, September 9. “We need more voices from African women. in international discussions about the global economy, democracy and governance, climate change, health and security.”

G20 representation will allow African countries to more effectively lobby the group to deliver on its promise to help the continent tackle climate change. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at last month’s G20 meeting in Indonesia stressed the importance of joining the African Union to achieve climate goals.