'Key Outcome': African Union Becomes Permanent Member Of G20, PM Modi Extends Warm Welcome

PM Modi welcomed the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, to take seat at the G20 table as he addressed the world leaders in his inaugural speech.

THE 55-nation African Union (AU) is now a permanent member of the Group of Twenty (G20), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement to this effect Saturday. In his opening remarks at the inaugural session of the 2023 G20 Leaders' Summit, Modi welcomed the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, to take seat at the G20 table. Shortly after, Assoumani took his seat at the G20 table and the name plaque of African Union was placed before him.

"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)...," Modi said. "Before we start our work, I invite the AU president as a permanent member to take his position," he said.

India has called it a "key outcome" of the G20 Summit being held under India's presidency with a special focus on the Global South. 

"Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South," PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

"For a G20, which is more inclusive and more vocal for Global South! PM @narendramodi warmly invites President @_AfricanUnion & Comoros Azali Assoumani to join other G20 leaders as African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. A key outcome of #G20India," said MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

The development comes after India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said that the Joint Declaration of Nations at the mega global event, or the New Delhi Declaration, will focus on the Global South. "We have started our presidency by leading the voices of the Global South. We got the perspective of 125 leaders and remained focussed on the Global South and the requirements of the developing nations. The New Delhi Declaration after the Summit will be a voice of the Global South and the developing countries."

"When India took over the G20 presidency in Bali, we were in the midst of a scenario of slowing growth and productivity worldwide. India felt that we should start our presidency with the theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family). PM Modi said India's presidency should be inclusive, decisive, ambitious and action-oriented," Kant said.

On Friday, PM Modi held bilateral meeting ahead of the G20 summit with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth here and reiterated India’s commitment to furthering the voice of the Global South.

The G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, which PM Modi said was adopted with "100% consensus", noted that the inclusion of the African Union into the G20 "will significantly contribute to addressing the global challenges of our time".

"Africa plays an important role in the global economy. We commit to strengthen our ties with and support the African Union realise the aspirations under Agenda 2063. We also reiterate strong support to Africa, including through the G20 Compact with Africa and G20 Initiative on supporting industrialization in Africa and LDCs. We are supportive of further discussing the deepening of cooperation between the G20 and other regional partners," it read.

The G20 Summit kicked off Saturday, with representatives of the world’s largest economies descending on the national capital to hold deliberations on the key economic, geopolitical and other issues being faced by the world.

The report has been updated to reflect the content of the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration on the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of the G20.