The International Trade Council extends its congratulations to the G20 leaders and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the historic inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. The landmark announcement came during the G20 Summit held in New Delhi, India, on September 9, 2023.
The G20, formerly a coalition of 20 major economies, has now broadened its scope by welcoming the African Union—a bloc representing 55 African nations—into its ranks. Azali Assoumani, the President of the Union of Comoros and the current Chairperson of the African Union, formally took his seat as a permanent representative at the summit.
Prime Minister Modi, during his address, urged global leaders to address the "global trust deficit," calling for unity and cooperative efforts to tackle the multitude of challenges faced by the world today. Emphasizing the need for collective action, he invoked his party's key slogan, "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas," which translates to cooperation, development, trust, and effort from all.
"The twenty-first century is an important time to show the world a new direction," Modi stated. He highlighted the urgency of finding robust solutions for a range of global issues, including geopolitical divisions, food and fuel management, cyber and health security, as well as energy and water conservation.
In a veiled reference to ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, Modi stressed the need for a human-centric approach to governance and conflict resolution, saying, "If we can defeat COVID-19, we can also triumph over the trust deficit caused by war."
The International Trade Council views the expansion of the G20 to include the African Union as a significant stride toward more inclusive global governance. This historic step not only amplifies African voices in global economic discussions but also adds a richer, more diverse perspective to tackling the pressing challenges of our time.
We commend the initiative and leadership shown by the G20 and especially laud Prime Minister Modi for stewarding this pivotal moment in global cooperation.
