The African Union has officially joined the (G20) as a permanent member.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union.
It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
The Chair of the 2023 G20 Summit, Narendra Modi who is also the Prime Minister 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.
“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,” Modi said.
Modi embraced the Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, as he invited the President of Comoros to take his seat.
In his remarks, African Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed AU’s entry into the G20 as full member.
“This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges,” he said.