The G20 Summit 2023, gathering leaders from the world’s most influential nations, is set to grace New Delhi on September 9-10 this year. As India wraps up its year-long presidency, the summit will culminate with the adoption of the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, solidifying the commitment of participating leaders to the priorities established during various ministerial and working group sessions.
Understanding the G20 Summit 2023 Theme
The theme for G20 Summit 2023 is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ This theme draws its inspiration from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad, highlighting the intrinsic value of all life forms, from humans and animals to plants and microorganisms. It underscores their interconnectedness on planet Earth and in the broader cosmos.
Additionally, the theme sheds light on ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment), emphasising environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the individual and national levels. This approach aims to spark global transformations towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
India’s Role as the Host
India assumes the role of host for the G20 Summit 2023. The selection of the host nation is a pivotal aspect of the G20 dynamics, with the hosting responsibility rotating among its members. India’s tenure as host holds the promise of shaping the group’s agenda for the year.
The G20 Summit 2023, comprising 19 individual nations and the European Union, collectively represents a significant international consortium. These nations account for approximately 85% of the global gross domestic product, over 75% of global trade, and nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. The G20 Summit 2023 presidency rotates among five groups of member countries. Each country within a group becomes eligible for the presidency during its group’s turn, with negotiations among eligible countries determining the group’s presidency.
The Prestige of G20 Summit 2023 Presidency
The G20 presidency is an esteemed privilege that comes with substantial responsibilities. The presiding nation plays a central role in setting the G20 agenda, hosting meetings and the G20 Leaders’ Summit, and providing logistical support. In the absence of a permanent secretariat, the host country mobilises human and material resources to facilitate the forum’s functioning throughout the year. Furthermore, the G20 president extends invitations to guest countries and organisations to participate in G20 processes. In short, the G20 presidency is a major honour and responsibility, one which allows the country to determine the workings of the group for a year.
The Emergence of G20 Summit 2023
The G20 Summit 2023‘s journey from obscurity to prominence traces back to the global financial crisis of 2008. During this crisis, France, holding the EU presidency, advocated for an emergency summit to address the escalating economic turmoil. The G8, consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, and the US, lacked the collective influence to stabilise the crisis. Hence, the G20 emerged as the fitting solution. The first G20 Leaders’ Summit, titled the ‘Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy,’ convened in Washington DC in November 2008. It featured the leaders of the 20 member nations, along with key figures from the IMF, the World Bank, the United Nations, Spain, and the Netherlands. Since then, annual summits have become integral to the global agenda.
World Leaders in Attendance
The G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi is anticipated to draw participation from over 40 world leaders. As preparations for this significant event are underway, it’s crucial to examine the confirmed attendees and notable absences.
- President Joe Biden of the United States is scheduled to visit India from September 7th to September 10th to partake in the summit. His visit will revolve around discussions aimed at collaboratively addressing global challenges, including the transition to clean energy and combating climate change. The White House has emphasized the discussions’ focus on enhancing multilateral development banks’ capabilities and mitigating the economic and social consequences of the Ukraine conflict.
- Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will represent China at the 18th G20 Summit, as announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. This confirmation implies that China’s President Xi Jinping will not attend this year’s G20 meeting in Delhi.
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to participate in the summit. Reportedly, his visit may encompass discussions concerning UK-India trade negotiations in a separate bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed to Prime Minister Modi that he would not attend the G20 Summit in Delhi. Instead, Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is slated to take part in the G20 Summit, as announced by South Korea’s ambassador to India, Chang Jae Bok.
- French President Emmanuel Macron’s participation in the G20 Summit is confirmed. There are expectations that Macron will be accommodated at the Claridges Hotel in New Delhi during his visit.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed his presence at the G20 Summit. Trudeau emphasized his commitment to ensuring global support for Ukraine during the event.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to India is part of his broader three-nation tour, which includes Indonesia and the Philippines.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is confirmed to participate in the summit. Following the G20 Summit, Erdogan will travel to New York to attend the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
- Additionally, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be in attendance at the summit and is reportedly planning to host French President Macron in New Delhi after the summit’s conclusion.
Unconfirmed Attendees
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be present at the New Delhi summit as he has not received an invitation to attend.
Several countries have not yet confirmed their attendance, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, and Argentina.
Guest Countries
Furthermore, the summit will witness the participation of “guest countries,” including the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, Oman, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, and Nigeria.
As the G20 Summit 2023 unfolds, the world will closely watch the outcomes and commitments made by participating countries. From addressing climate change to fostering economic resilience, the summit’s agenda encompasses critical aspects of global governance.
In addition to the formal discussions and meetings, the summit offers opportunities for bilateral and multilateral engagements, providing leaders with a platform to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore collaborative initiatives.
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FAQs
What is the G20 Summit 2023, and where is it taking place?
The G20 Summit 2023 is a meeting of leaders from the world’s most influential nations. It is set to take place in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023, at the newly constructed Bharat Mandapam exhibition center.
What is the theme of the G20 Summit 2023?
The theme of the G20 Summit 2023 is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth and promotes environmentally sustainable choices.
How is the host country for the G20 Summit determined?
The host country for the G20 Summit is determined through a rotating system among G20 member countries. Each country within a group becomes eligible for the presidency during its group’s turn, with negotiations among eligible countries determining the group’s presidency.
When and why did the G20 emerge as a significant global forum?
The G20 emerged as a significant global forum during the global financial crisis of 2008. It became necessary to address the economic turmoil as the G8, which lacked collective influence, was insufficient. The first G20 Leaders’ Summit took place in November 2008 in Washington DC.