September 09, (THEWILL) – The African Union (AU), on Saturday, became a permanent member of the Group of 20 largest economies (G20) of the world.
India Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced the AU entry into the top global body in his opening remarks at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 Summit in New Delhi.
“In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal. With your agreement (he banged the gavel thrice).
“Before we start our work, I invite the AU president as a permanent member to take his position”, Modi said, while Welcoming the 55-nation AU as the new member of the group.
Shortly after the announcement, Union of Comoros President and AU chairperson, Azali Assoumani, took the seat as a full member of the G20.
The AU is an influential organisation comprising 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.
The G20 was founded in 1999 in response to several world economic crises. The G20 member countries represent around 85 percent of the global GDP, over 75 percent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.
Apart from the new member, the grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
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