T20's Task Forces Discuss Sustainable Development Goals, Cooperation with Africa and More

In the sessions by each of the Task Forces, participants discussed proposed topics of policy briefs, schedules and more. Later, the direction of each Task Force's policy brief was shared at Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).

On the role of the private sector, they reviewed the crucial impact of businesses on achieving SDGs, then discussed issues such as specific actions for raising awareness of SDGs in companies, how to shift the mindset of all stakeholders, and how to help companies in developing countries join the global value chain. Ohno said, "We must offer incentives for companies to turn their attention to sustainable supply chain management, and build reciprocal partnerships between companies, governments and citizens."

Lastly, on gender, she pointed out the cross-sectional quality of the topic, the necessity of monitoring governance in private and public sectors, and the importance of cooperating with other Task Forces and Engagement Groups such as W20 (women) and C20 (civil societies).

Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and co-chair of Task Force 5 "Cooperation with Africa" commented that this is the only Task Force confined to one region, and because it shares many issues with the other Task Forces it is important that information is exchanged. She reported that the policy brief will focus on the following themes: fiscal and debt sustainability in Africa, Compact with Africa (an initiative from G20 Germany to promote cooperation with the private sector and investment in Africa), industrial development and ICT, agricultural development, food security and nutrition, governance conditions and social effects, health, and tax challenges of digitalization in Africa .

Each Task Force will create their policy briefs by March 2019. T20 plans to submit a Communiqué with policy recommendations to the representative of the G20 host country at the end of May 2019.