NEW DELHI, June 18 (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the leaders of the G20 nations to propose that the African Union be a full and permanent member of the diplomatic group at their upcoming summit in India, a statement said. official source.
Modi’s proposal to grant the African Union full membership in the G20 demonstrates India’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s representation and partnership in shaping global affairs, the source said.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. Members represent about 85% of world GDP, more than 75% of world trade and about two-thirds of the world’s population.
The grouping comprises 19 countries and the European Union. The G20 this year also invited nine non-member “guest” countries, including Bangladesh, Singapore, Spain and Nigeria, plus international organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank and IMF.
“This will be a right step towards a fair, just, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance,” the source said of the African Union proposal. “(The) prime minister strongly believes in having a greater Voice of the countries of the Global South on international platforms, particularly African countries.”
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states.
India began its one-year G20 presidency in December last year and will host the summit later this year.
Reporting by Rupam Jain; Edited by Lincoln Festival.
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