PM Modi Has Sought to Define G20 Summit Around Inclusion of Global South: SA Prez Spokesperson

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to define the G20 Summit around “inclusion of the Global South” and AU joining the bloc signals a “very positive step” towards the reforms sought in the UNSC and various global multilateral financial institutions, a top South African official said on Saturday.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here, Vincent Magwenya, also said that there has been a lot of “positive development” with respect to the Russia-Ukraine conflict this year than it was last year.

“We have formalised peace process which has the support of all G20 members… The peace process going to take time. (This is) the first real commitment to resolve this conflict peacefully. That development cannot be ignored,” the spokesperson of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

“We still seek to find a text or a declaration that will reflect the positive sentiments of the Summit,” he said.

Shortly after, Modi announced that the G20 had adopted the New Delhi Leaders Summit Declaration after a consensus was reached among member states.

“Have just got the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on the New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration,” Modi told the leaders while addressing the second session of the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam here.

“It is my proposal that this G20 Declaration be adopted,” the prime minister said.

Earlier in the day, Modi welcomed the African Union as the AU joined the bloc at the G20 Summit and took its position as the high chair of the influential grouping.

“We are very thankful and delighted about the leadership PM Modi has demonstrated, “Magwenya said when asked about India’s role in the inclusion of the AU in G20.

Modi has sought to “define this Summit around the inclusion of the Global South, smaller developing countries,” Magwenya said.

The inclusion also signals a “very positive step towards the kind of reforms we always advocated” with respect to the form of the UNSC, and various global multilateral financial institutions, he said.