The 2023 G20 summit, held for the first time in India has finally come to an end. This summit was the 18th meeting of G20 that was held in Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in New Delhi which extended for two days i.e. 9th and 10th September and observed the participation of both the member and guest nations.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the summit that you must know-
1. PM Modi hands over the G20 gavel to Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil
Addressing the closing session of the G20 Summit, PM Modi proposed conducting a virtual session at the end of November to assess the progress made on the suggestions made in New Delhi. As he handed over the G20 Presidency gavel to the President of Brazil, he said, “We have full faith in the Troika spirit. We will provide full support to Brazil and believe that under their leadership, the G20 will continue to progress towards our common objectives”. Brazil will officially take over the presidency from December 1, this year as India’s presidency will continue till November 30.
2. G20 becomes G21 as the African Union joined the Global Table
The host nation India announced the African Union consisting of 55 countries as a permanent member of the G20 making it G21, in the first-ever expansion of the G20 group since its formation in 1999. In PM Modi’s inaugural address, he said, “It was in the spirit of ‘sabka saath’ that India proposed a permanent membership for the African Union (AU) in the G20 and I believe that we all agree on this proposal.”
3. New Corridor connecting India-Middle East-Europe unveiled
A multinational initiative involving rail and shipping connections between India, the Middle East, and Europe was unveiled during the G20 summit in New Delhi. The project, spanning across India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, and the European Union, would help enhance trade, facilitate energy resource transportation, and advance digital connectivity.
4. India Launches Its Biofuel Alliance
India launched a worldwide biofuel alliance during the G20 summit, to promote the use of more environmentally-friendly fuels. This alliance, formed with the United States and Brazil, would help to speed up the global efforts to meet net-zero emission goals by facilitating the trade of biofuels produced from various sources, including plant and animal waste.
5. G20’s “Delhi Declaration” reached a consensus from all nations unanimously
The G20 meeting unanimously adopted the “New Delhi Declaration” which signifies a diplomatic victory for India, which had been diligently working to prevent a division within the G20 regarding the inclusion of references to Ukraine in the extensive 38-page, 75-paragraph Joint Declaration. Also, over the last year, no international coalition has been able to come to an agreement regarding the communications concerning Ukraine.
