The 18th Group of 20 (G20) Summit was held at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre (IECC), in New Delhi, between September 9 and 10, 2023. It was attended by the leaders of 19 member countries and the European Union (EU) besides others. This summit deliberated on matters of common concern such as trade and climate change. India took over the presidency for G20 Forum during the 17th G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia in December, 2022. The 18th G20 Summit had lotus as its logo and the theme was Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning One Earth, One Family, One Future. India made ‘voice of Global South’ the fulcrum of the summit.
All the heads of the countries attended the G20 Summit 2023 except for China and Russia. China was represented by Premier Li Qiang, while Russia was represented by its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. India also invited leaders of 11 nations—Bangladesh, Comoros, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Rwanda, Singapore, Spain, and the UAE—to participate in the summit. International organisations including the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) were also invited to attend the summit. Besides, India had invited the African Union (AU), the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be a part of the summit. Thus, this summit was attended by about 43 heads of delegations, which is the largest ever in the G20 Forum.
India has had a clear plan and a development-oriented approach and has been aiming to promote rule-based order, peace, and just growth for all. Indian government had planned more than 200 events to be held in various parts of the country during the course of its one-year presidentship. The G20 presidency also set forth the beginning of ‘Amritkaal’, a 25-year period commencing from the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on August 15, 2022, till the centenary year of independence, August 15, 2047.
The African Union (AU) was made a full member of the G20 bloc. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, welcomed AU’s Chairperson Azaly Assoumani to the table of G20 leaders. After the EU, the AU is the second regional bloc to join the G20. Thus, this group has now become G21.
Agenda of the Summit
The leaders of G20 countries focused on the following points of the agenda:
- Accelerated, strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth
- Effective implementation of Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG) 2030
- Priority to climate finance and technology, energy transitions for developing countries, and Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) by promoting environmentally-conscious practices and conservation of biodiversity, forests, and oceans
- Emphasis on structural, technological, and digital public infrastructure transformation
- Multilateral institutions for the 21st century for creating a more accountable and representative mechanism to address the contemporary issues
- Emphasis on women empowerment and their representation for boosting socio-economic development and achievement of the SDGs.
Some Highlights of the New Delhi Declaration
The New Delhi Declaration consists of 83 paragraphs eight of them being about the war in Ukraine and its subsequent economic implications. The declaration has listed 12 goals to which all the leaders were fully committed. They committed to securing inclusive growth and accelerated implementation of the SDG 2030 Agenda. They also addressed the debt vulnerability and reforms needed for multilateral development banks. Furthermore, they stressed on integrating perspectives of the Global South into the future G20 agenda. The leaders expressed determination to steer the world out of its current challenges and build a bright future.
The leaders also described in detail about the grouping’s view of what the preceding ministerial level meetings had called geopolitical issues. Meaningful negotiation leading to a consensus was done by the Indian negotiators with the help of diplomats of other member nations on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the persistent demand by the G7 nations on ensuring respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence. The leaders agreed to call for a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine.
The leaders appreciated the efforts of Turkiye and UN-brokered Istanbul Agreements which consisted of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Russian Federation and Secretariat of the UN on promoting Russian Food Products and Fertilisers to the world markets. The summit also appreciated the initiative on the safe transportation of food material from Ukrainian ports under the Black Sea Initiative. The leaders called for immediate and effective implementation of the initiative for the quick and hinderance-free supply of food and fertilisers from Russia and Ukraine for meeting the demands of the developing and least developed nations.
The summit highlighted the genuine efforts to strengthen multilateral development banks, facilitate control on cryptocurrencies and set up digital public infrastructure to enhance financial inclusion. Significance of a speedy debt relief plan for vulnerable nations was also emphasised.
The leaders stressed the need for the mobilisation of US$ 5.8–5.9 trillion in the pre-2030 period for developing countries to meet the consequences caused by climate change. They also underscored the importance of urgently mobilising US$ 4 trillion per year for clean energy technologies by 2030 for attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. The leaders also called for a substantial increase in climate funding by revising it from billions to trillions of dollars.
The leaders acknowledged the role of private enterprises in speeding up the growth leading to sustainable economic transformations. For this, the bloc plans to create inclusive, sustainable, and resilient global value chains in order to support the developing nations to enhance their value chain. The leaders also decided to facilitate foreign direct investments (FDIs) towards sustainable business models and that they would also aid in ease of doing business by reducing the cost.
The leaders committed to fighting corruption by strengthening law enforcement-related International Cooperation and Information Sharing for Combating Corruption; by establishing asset recovery mechanisms for combating corruption; by promoting integrity and effectiveness of public bodies and authorities responsible for preventing and combating corruption.
The leaders committed to taking collective action for the effective and timely implementation of the G20 2023 Action Plan. The leaders also appreciated the efforts of the Indian presidency for accelerating the implementation of the SDG 2030 agenda.
The leaders reiterated to enhance global food security and nutrition for all in line with the G20 Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition. They emphasised the need for research and development of climate-resilient and nutritious grains such as millets, quinoa, sorghum, and traditional crops such as rice, wheat, and maize. The leaders also welcomed the outcomes of the 12th G20 Meeting of Agriculture Chief Scientists (MACS). They also pledged to build a strong Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring (GEOGLAM) for greater transparency to avoid food price volatility.
There was a consensus among the G20 leaders in strengthening the global health architecture with the guidance from the WHO. The leaders also emphasised the need for the promotion and improvement of access to mental health services and psychosocial support in an inclusive manner.
Realising the importance of fundamental education, the leaders pledged to provide high-quality education and skills training for all, including for those in vulnerable situations. They stressed the need to the productive use of digital technologies for dealing with the digital divides for all learners. Furthermore, they highlighted the significance of life-long learning that is focused on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling.
The leaders pledged to ensure environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development for the well-being of present and future generations. They endorsed a goal to triple global renewable energy capacity and stressed the need for emissions to peak before 2025. Additionally, the leaders acknowledged that there should be a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 for limiting the global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The leaders also committed to mainstreaming LiFE; implementing sustainable energy transitions; providing sustainable finance; tracking attainment of SDGs, implementation of clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transitions; recognising the importance of sustainable biofuel and launching the Global Biofuel Alliance for the promotion and development of sustainable biofuels; ending plastic pollution by passing the resolution UNEP/EA.5/Res14.
The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Further, they condemned all terrorist acts against critical infrastructure, including critical energy facilities and against other vulnerable targets. They committed to supporting the resource needs of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for enhancing global efforts to recover criminal proceeds.
Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines of the Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held several bilateral meetings with world leaders and raised issues of mutual interest with them. He discussed India’s concerns regarding extremist elements in Canada which is supporting secessionism, inciting violence against Indian diplomats and threatening Indian community in Canada. The US President Joe Biden expressed that the partnership between India and the US has been rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of trusteeship that has been shared between the two countries. Russia too praised India’s presidency and commended India for addressing global challenges and showcasing the strength and importance of the Global South. Turkish President agreed to enhance trade and infrastructure relations between India and Turkiye during the meeting.
About G20
The G20 is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 19 countries and the EU. It was established in 1999 during the global economic crises and it has been playing a pivotal role in addressing major global economic issues. The G20 forum was established by the finance ministers and central bank governors of seven countries–Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US after a meeting in Washington. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU. Though the forum initially dealt matters related to macroeconomics, over the years, its agenda expanded to cover issues relating to trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, and anti-corruption. At present, G20 constitutes the finance ministers from some of the world’s largest economies representing about 80 per cent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), 75 per cent of the international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.
The presidency of G20 steers the G20 agenda for one year and hosts the summit. The G20 forum includes three parallel tracks, namely, the Finance Track, the Sherpa Track, and the Engagement Groups. The Finance Track is led by the finance ministers of the member nations which holds working group meetings at regular intervals throughout the term of each presidency. The Sherpas oversee the negotiations done by the Finance Track over the course of the year. Accordingly, it would discuss the agenda items for the summit and coordinate the substantive work of the G20. The Engagement Groups is an unofficial track which includes non-government participants which provide recommendations that would help in policy making. It comprises Business20, Civil20, Labour20, Parliament20, Science20, SAI20, Startup20, Think20, Urban20, Women20, and Youth20.
The bloc does not have a permanent secretariat and its presidency is supported by troika (the previous, the current, and the incoming presidency). In 2023, the troika consisted of Indonesia, India, and Brazil. In 2024, the troika would comprise India, Brazil, and South Africa.
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