Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said consensus had been reached on the final declaration of the G20 summit in New Delhi, despite major differences between them over the war on Ukraine.

“As a result of the hard work of our team and with your support, we have reached a consensus on the final declaration of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi,” Modi explained, adding, “I hereby announce that I have accepted it.”

The announcement came after negotiators from the world’s 20 most powerful countries reached consensus on the language that could be used to refer to the war in Ukraine, Reuters previously reported.

The group faced sharp divisions over the war in Ukraine; Western countries are seeking strong condemnation of Russia’s war in a declaration to be issued at the end of the summit, while others are calling for the group to focus on broader economic issues.

There are no details yet on the agreed upon language to refer to the war.

Efforts and calling

G20 leaders also announced their support for efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, pledging to accelerate action to combat climate change.

The group will “pursue and promote efforts to triple renewable energy capacity,” a statement said. “We are committed to accelerating action to address challenges including environmental crises and climate change,” he added.

At the start of the summit, the Indian Prime Minister represented the African Union and invited its president, Ghazali Usmani, to sit as a permanent member at the group’s leaders’ table.

For his part, Ousmani, the head of the Comoros Islands, announced the G20’s official recognition of the African Union’s permanent membership in the group.

Usmani said, with the voice of the Indian Prime Minister, that the G20 has officially recognized the membership of the African Union, expressing his “great gratitude” on behalf of the African continent to all member countries of the group.

A crisis of confidence

In his opening speech, the Indian prime minister insisted that the world was suffering from a “crisis of confidence” and called for the group to join.

Modi further said, “The world is suffering from a huge crisis of trust. War has deepened this distrust, and just as we have been able to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are also dealing with a crisis of mutual trust.”

The G20 summit began amid questions over Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit amid divisions among member states over Ukraine.

Informed officials said several important agreements will be signed at the summit.

Drafting and contracts

A draft announcement seen by Reuters of a declaration to be issued at the G20 summit said the African Union would become a permanent member of the group during the New Delhi summit.

The African Union – comprising 55 member states – will have the same status as the European Union, is the only regional bloc with full membership in the G-20, and its current status is “invited international organization”.

“We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of Twenty and we believe that the inclusion of the African Union in the Group will make a significant contribution to addressing the global challenges of our time,” the draft declaration said.

A US official also announced that the G-20 summit will witness the signing of a possible agreement to implement a major transport project by sea and rail aimed at connecting India to Europe through the Middle East.

Referring to the expected outcome of the G20 summit, US Deputy National Security Adviser John Winer told reporters that “an initial agreement (project) between the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other G20 partners will allow trade flows by sea and rail.” and energy and data from India through the Middle East to Europe.”

initiatives and projects

According to other sources, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who arrived in New Delhi this morning, is expected to sign a preliminary agreement with the United States, the Emirates, the European Union and other allies in the Group of Twenty. This big transport project can be implemented.

According to Weiner, the plan “came about as a result of peaceful and bilateral diplomatic efforts and multilateral building.”

He said the project “has great potential, but we don’t know how long it will take.”

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will represent President Xi Jinping and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent President Vladimir Putin at the summit.

Summit and disagreements

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for collective leadership to fight the climate crisis, global conflicts and poverty.

“If we were truly a global family, today we are a dysfunctional family,” Guterres said after arriving in New Delhi.

He added, “Divisions are rising, tensions are flaring, and trust is eroding, all of which combine to create fragmentation and ultimately conflict.”

Guterres said the global financial framework was “outdated, dysfunctional and unfair” and needed structural reform.

In addition, the G-20 is responsible for 80% of global emissions, and “half-measures will not prevent complete collapse in climate terms,” ​​he said.

The summit is scheduled to take place on September ninth and tenth, and the group includes 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world’s largest economies and contributing more than 85% of its total output. 75% of its trade.