The African Union, a body of 55 member countries, on Saturday formally joined the G20, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposing its entry to the grouping and other leaders agreeing to it.
Indian PM Modi invited AU president Azali Assoumani to take his place as a member on the G20 leaders’ table, hugged him and welcomed him to the G20.
#WATCH | G 20 in India | President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani takes his seat as the Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. pic.twitter.com/Sm25SD80n9
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023
Addressing the opening session of the 18th Summit of G20 leaders, Indian PM Modi flagged the “big crisis of trust deficit” the world is facing, which, he said, has deepened due to the [Russia-Ukraine] war. He also expressed grief over the lives lost due to the earthquake in Morocco, saying that that the entire world community stands with Morocco in this difficult time.
Observing that the 21st century is an important time to show new direction and to give new direction, PM Modi said, “It is a time when years-old problems are seeking new solutions from us. Therefore, we have to move forward by discharging our every duty with a human-centric approach.”
