G20 Summit 2023 Unites World Leaders in Incredible India : Diplomatic Grandeur

On December 1st, 2022, India embarked on a significant journey as it assumed the presidency of the G20 forum, taking the reins from Indonesia. With the distinction of being the world's largest democracy and the fastest-growing economy, India's G20 presidency carries substantial weight, building on the achievements of the previous 17 presidencies.

The world's most powerful leaders will gather in India in September 2023 for the G20 Summit, the first time the country has hosted the event. The summit will be a major opportunity for India to showcase its growing economic and political clout, as well as its commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation.

The G20 is an informal forum of 19 countries and the European Union, which together account for about 80% of the world's economy. The group meets annually to discuss a wide range of global issues, including economic growth, climate change, and terrorism.

India's presidency of the G20 comes at a critical time for the world. The global economy is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine has further destabilized the global order.

The summit will be an opportunity for India to work with other G20 countries to address these challenges and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

The theme of India's G20 presidency is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which means "The world is one family." This theme reflects India's commitment to multilateralism and its belief that the world's problems can only be solved through cooperation.

The Amrit Kaal Initiative

India's G20 Presidency marks the commencement of "Amritkaal," a 25-year period initiated on August 15, 2022, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of its independence and leading up to the centenary of its independence.

Under India's stewardship, the G20 presidency is driven by the Amrit Kaal initiative, with a prominent focus on the LiFE movement. This initiative aims to champion environmentally conscious practices and foster sustainability in our way of life.

India's approach is rooted in a well-defined plan and a development-oriented vision, with the goal of promoting a rules-based global order, peace, and inclusive growth for all. 

Also Read: From Significance to Spectrum: Bharat Mandapam as the G20 Venue

India's Robust G20 Agenda

The robust agenda set for the 2023 Summit encompasses over 200 events, reinforcing India's commitment to its six thematic priorities during the G20 presidency.

Host Nation: India's G20 Summit 2023

The G20, consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, was established in 1999 as a platform for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to deliberate on international economic and financial matters.

Together, these G20 nations account for nearly two-thirds of the global population, 75% of global trade, and 85% of the world's GDP. Following the global financial and economic crisis in 2007, the G20 was elevated to the level of Heads of State/Government and became the "premier forum for international economic cooperation."

Two Key Tracks: Finance and Sherpa

The G20 operates through two principal tracks: the Finance Track, involving finance ministers and central bank governors, and the Sherpa Track. The Sherpas, appointed as personal envoys of the leaders of member nations, lead the G20's proceedings. They oversee year-round negotiations, agenda deliberations for the summit, and coordination of substantive G20 work. Both tracks include working groups that address specific themes, featuring representatives from relevant stakeholders.

Accelerating Progress Toward Sustainable Development Goals

In the current year, working groups will focus on critical global priorities such as green development, climate finance, inclusive growth, digital economy, public infrastructure, technology transformation, and reforms to empower women for socio-economic progress.

These initiatives aim to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a better future for generations to come.

G20 Meeting Host Cities

The G20 Summit, an annual event with a rotating presidency, will be hosted by India in 2023. The G20 does not maintain a permanent secretariat and is supported by the previous, current, and upcoming presidency holders, collectively known as the troika. For 2023, the troika includes Indonesia, Brazil, and India.

The culmination of this summit will follow a series of meetings held throughout the year. Potential host cities for meetings spanning from December 2022 to February 2023 include Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Indore, Jodhpur, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Rann of Kutch, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, and Udaipur.

Theme: 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'

The theme of India's G20 presidency is encapsulated in "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which signifies "One Earth, One Family, One Future." Inspired by the ancient Sanskrit scripture, Maha Upanishad, this theme underscores the significance of all life forms—human, animal, plant, and microorganism—along with their interdependence on Earth and throughout the universe.

It also emphasizes LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), advocating environmentally sustainable and responsible lifestyle choices, both at the individual and national levels, to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

India's Key Priorities for the G20 Summit:

1. Green Development, Climate Finance & LiFE: India's foremost objective is addressing climate change through climate finance and technology, with a special emphasis on ensuring equitable energy transitions for developing nations. Additionally, India is introducing the LiFE movement, rooted in sustainable traditions, to promote eco-conscious practices.

2. Accelerated, Inclusive & Resilient Growth: India is committed to fostering structural transformations in key areas. This includes supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in global trade, advocating for labor rights and welfare, bridging the global skills gap, and building inclusive agricultural value chains and food systems.

3. Accelerating Progress on SDGs: India reaffirms its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. A particular focus lies on mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Technological Transformation & Digital Public Infrastructure: India is championing a human-centric approach to technology, emphasizing knowledge-sharing in realms like digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, and tech-driven advancements in sectors such as agriculture and education.

5. Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century: India seeks to reform the landscape of multilateralism, advocating for a more accountable, inclusive, and representative international system capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

6. Women-led Development: India places significant importance on inclusive growth and development, with a central emphasis on women's empowerment and increased representation. These efforts aim to bolster socio-economic development and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition to the six key areas mentioned above, the G20 Summit is also expected to discuss other important issues, such as food security, poverty alleviation, and the fight against terrorism. The summit will be a chance for the world's leaders to come together and find solutions to these pressing challenges.

The G20 Summit is a major event that will have a significant impact on the global economy and the future of the world. India's presidency of the G20 is a historic opportunity for the country to showcase its leadership and commitment to multilateralism.

The success of the summit will be a major boost for India's global image and its role as a responsible leader in the world.

G20 Summit 2023 Attendees

The G20 Summit is scheduled to commence on September 8 in New Delhi, where leaders from the world's 20 major economies will convene to address critical global issues. Here is a list of world leaders slated to attend this significant event:

US President Joe Biden:

President Biden will travel to India on September 7, ahead of the G20 Summit, for bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang:

Leading China's delegation, Premier Li Qiang will attend the G20 Summit. Notably, President Xi Jinping will not be present, marking the first time a Chinese president has missed a G20 leaders' summit.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will make his inaugural official visit to India for the G20 Summit.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

Prime Minister Albanese will attend the G20 summit as part of his three-nation tour, emphasizing Australia's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

Prime Minister Trudeau will participate in the ASEAN summit in Indonesia before joining the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: 

Chancellor Scholz will be in attendance at the G20 Summit, underscoring its importance despite the absence of Russia and China's heads of state.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida:

Prime Minister Kishida will attend the G20 summit and is expected to address concerns regarding the Ukraine conflict.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeo:

President Yoon Suk-Yeo will be present at the G20 summit, addressing North Korea's missile provocations and nuclear threats.

French President Emmanuel Macron:

President Macron is set to participate in the G20 summit and hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman:

While not officially confirmed, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is expected to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa:

President Ramaphosa has expressed full support for India's G20 presidency.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina:

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to participate in the G20 summit as an observer.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan:

President Erdogan is scheduled to visit India for the G20 summit, where discussions will encompass various topics, including climate change.

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez:

President Fernandez has confirmed his attendance at the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu:

President Bola Tinubu is set to attend the G20 summit with the aim of promoting foreign investment and mobilizing global capital for infrastructural development in Nigeria.

Leaders who will not be attending the summit:

Russian President Vladimir Putin:

President Putin will not attend the G20 Summit due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over accusations of war crimes in Ukraine. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country.

European Union Leaders:

Confirmation of attendance from President Ursula Von Der Leyen of the European Commission and President Charles Michel of the European Council is still pending.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador:

President Lopez Obrador is expected to skip the G20 summit this year.

Leaders with unconfirmed attendance

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni:

The participation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the G20 summit remains uncertain.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo:

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has not confirmed his presence at the summit.

This diverse gathering of global leaders will address critical challenges and discuss solutions for a better future during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Also Read: Major Takeaways from the G20 Summit 2023 India

Conclusion 

The G20 Summit is a major opportunity for India to shape the global agenda and promote its vision for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world. The summit will be attended by the leaders of the G20 countries, as well as representatives from international organizations and businesses.

The summit is expected to be a major event, with the world's eyes on India. The success of the summit will be a major boost for India's global image and its role as a responsible leader in the world.