The UAE participates in the first G20 Sherpa meeting in Johannesburg

A delegation from the UAE, headed by His Excellency Mahsh Saeed Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa and deputy UAE Sherpa to the G20, participated in the first Sherpa meeting of the G20, which was held in Johannesburg..

The group’s work for the year 2025 is of special importance not only to South Africa, but also to the African continent, especially with the accession of the African Union as a permanent member in 2023. It is also the first time that an African country has hosted the work of the G20..

The meeting was opened by His Excellency Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, where he presented an overview of his country’s directions in its presidency of the G20 during the year 2025. Dialogue sessions were also held that shed light on the priorities of the South African presidency of the group for the coming year, which include comprehensive economic growth, Industrial policy, employment and inequality, food security, and artificial intelligence. Three task forces, an initiative, and a committee will be established to lead work related to these three priorities.

During the meeting, His Excellency Al Hameli stressed the UAE’s commitment to constructively contribute to the work of the G20, with a focus on the priorities set by the South African presidency of the group, expressing the UAE’s deep appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for inviting the country to participate in the work of the G20 for the year 2025, and praising its efforts. Brazil’s successful hosting of the 2024 G20.

A joint meeting was also held between the Sherpa tracks and the group’s financial track on December 11, 2024 in Johannesburg, where the UAE delegation participating in the meeting was headed by His Excellency Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates for the Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Sector..

The Republic of South Africa invited the UAE to participate in the G20 as a guest during the year 2025, under the slogan “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” This invitation constitutes the country’s sixth participation in the group historically, and the fourth participation in a row, as the UAE participated in the work of the G20 in Brazil during This year, India in 2023, Indonesia in 2022, Saudi Arabia in 2020, and France in 2011..

The UAE’s participation for the sixth time in the G20 and its joining of the BRICS group this year embodies the growing role of the UAE at the international level, and the country’s keenness on pluralism, cooperation and partnership with important international organizations and joint multilateral work, to support peace and development to achieve the well-being and prosperity of peoples..