Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the African Union being made a permanent member of the G20 on that organisation.

Africa's share of the world's population is forecast to double from 18 percent today to 37 percent by 2100, so African countries need a louder voice on the international stage. Recognising this, the Integrated Review refresh sets out the Government's support of greater African representation in multilateral institutions. The Government supported, and welcomes, the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20. The pan-African membership of the African Union means it is uniquely placed to represent the interests of the entire African continent.