African Union made permanent member of G20

The African Union has been invited to join the G20 as a permanent member.

A delegation from Africa erupted in joy when Prime Minister Modi of India invited African Union President Azali Assoumani to take his seat as a permanent member of the G20.

What followed was the Indian PM’s trademark hug for Assoumani. A member of the delegation remarked, “History has been made”.

The AU’s membership will make the G20 more inclusive, which has been one of the critical objectives of India’s presidency of the group.

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The G20 summit is being held in South Asia for the first time, with Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron attending.

Two big names – Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping – aren’t at the summit, with representatives attending on their behalf.

The leaders will discuss issues including climate change, food security and debt restructuring for poorer countries.

Indian PM Narendra Modi hopes a successful summit will boost the image he wants of India as a global powerhouse ahead of general elections next year.

But disagreements over Ukraine could make it tough for leaders to agree on a joint declaration.