Puneet Paranjpe/AFP/Getty Images
Students put the finishing touches on paintings of US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at an art school in Mumbai on September 5, 2023.
New Delhi
CNN
—
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday, during the opening of the summit of leaders of the world’s richest countries in New Delhi, that the African Union will join as a permanent member.
In his opening remarks, Modi called on the head of the African Union, Razali Ousmane, to take his seat as a permanent member of the group, to applause and watching from other leaders.
Modi gathers world leaders in New Delhi as ongoing divisions over Russia’s war in Ukraine continue to fester, taking on the responsibility of delivering speech on some of the most pressing issues, including global economic tensions and the climate crisis that need urgent action from the world’s richest. Nations.
“Today, as G20 President, India calls on the world to work together to transform the global trust deficit into trust and reliance,” Modi said during his opening remarks.
“This is the time for all of us to act together… Whether it is the North-South divide, the East-West distance, food and fuel governance, terrorism, cybersecurity, health, energy or water security, we must Finding a solid solution to this matter for future generations.
The African Union is a continental body made up of 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.
She has long been an invited guest at the G20 meeting alongside other major global organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
However, the move would make the body a permanent member – like the EU – and potentially turn the G20 into the G21 and give the African bloc a front-row seat in one of the world’s most powerful global governance bodies.
Since assuming the G20 presidency, Modi has been keen to bolster India’s credentials as a leader of emerging and developing nations, known as the Global South, and push for increased cooperation with wealthier countries to help secure vital financial lifelines.
Modi had previously spoken of his intention to include the African Union in the group.
“When we say we see the world as a family, we really mean it,” Modi said in a pre-summit interview with the Press Trust of India, one of India’s largest news agencies.
“Africa is a top priority for us even within the G20. One of the first things we did during our G20 presidency was to convene the Voice of the Global South summit, which received enthusiastic participation from Africa.
