At the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the curtains have come down on the 18th G20 Summit. With the close of the event, the responsibility of G20 leadership has transitioned from India to Brazil. In a significant gesture, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, handed over the ceremonial G20 gavel to Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
During the event, Prime Minister Modi showcased his optimism for the upcoming tenure of Brazil and put forth a suggestion for a virtual G20 session in November, aiming to evaluate the summit’s decisions. President da Silva, after accepting the leadership, shed light on pressing global concerns.
Emphasizing that wealth disparity continues to plague societies, he highlighted the urgent need to confront disparities spanning income, healthcare, education, nutrition, and gender dynamics. Preceding this, Prime Minister Modi presided over the session titled “One Future.” India’s G20 Chief Coordinator, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, emphasized the summit’s accomplishments.
Notably, India’s proposal to include the African Union in the G20 and the endorsement of the New Delhi Declaration stood out as remarkable milestones. On the summit’s inaugural day, the “New Delhi Leaders Declaration” was embraced by all G20 members, reinforcing India’s influential position in the Global South.
The 37-page document underscored the necessity to bolster efforts targeting sustainable development, climate response, biodiversity preservation, and the promotion of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE). Critical points, like amplifying finances for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing the World Trade Organization’s ‘Aid for Trade’ initiative, and fortifying global health were highlighted.
Moreover, the declaration touched on the urgency to mitigate plastic pollution, strategize on futuristic city finances, foster responsible AI for SDGs, and prioritize women-led progress. However, the summit concluded without reaching a definitive stance on cryptocurrency.