The African Union (AU) has received permanent membership status within the Group of 20, a bloc comprising the most wealthy and influential countries in the world.
This announcement took place at the start of the G20 Summit spanning two days in India where Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced the AU’s accession to the 19-nation body, which already included South Africa.
The African Union officially joins the #G20 as a permanent member. Chair of the 2023 #G20 Summit, PM Modi of India, welcomed the AU during the Inaugural Session of the #G20, saying that this development will strengthen the #G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.… pic.twitter.com/fyojy1fHuY
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) September 9, 2023
“In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal. With your agreement (he banged the gavel thrice),” said Modi.
“Before we start our work, I invite the AU president as a permanent member to take his position.”
Following the announcement, Modi extended a warm embrace to AU Chairperson, Azali Assoumani, and invited him to take a seat at the conference table reserved for permanent members of the G20.
The African Union (AU) holds considerable importance as it comprises 55 member states that collectively represent the countries situated across the African continent. 6 out of the 12 fastest developing economies are in Africa thus making the AU an integral part of the future global economy.
6 out of the 12 fastest growing economies in the world are from #Africa
There is a push toward having the African Union to become a permanent memberhttps://t.co/kYPZAeEiA6
#G20India2023 pic.twitter.com/9OGmFb5YQF
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) September 7, 2023
The G20 was founded in 1999, and together, the member countries make up:
- Around 85% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Over 75 % of worldwide trade, and
- Approximately two-thirds of the global population
The G20 is now made up of:
- African Union
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Mexico
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Turkey
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
- The European Union (EU)
The agenda for the 2-day summit included several key priorities:
- Accelerating efforts in addressing climate change
- Minimizing the influence of geopolitics on food and energy security
- Increasing financial support to developing nations through multilateral institutions
- Restructuring the global debt system
- Establishing an international framework for cryptocurrencies
“This period in the 21st century is the time to give the world a new direction,” said Modi.
“It is a time in which age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us, and therefore it is with a human-centric approach that we must fulfill each of our responsibilities and move forward.”
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