At the annual Group of 20 (G20) summit, leaders welcomed the African Union as a member but issued a joint statement that limited its language regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to a call to avoid forcefully seizing territory or using nuclear weapons. The final statement, released a day before the summit’s formal close, was less strongly worded over the Ukraine conflict than last year’s statement and did not mention Russia’s invasion directly. The G20 leaders also urged the resumption of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizer shipments from Russia and Ukraine, expressing deep concern about the effect of conflicts on civilians.
Despite differences over Ukraine, the summit addressed issues critical to developing nations, including alternative fuels, resource efficiency, food security, and digital public infrastructure. The leaders also unveiled plans for a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe, aiming to strengthen economic growth and political cooperation.
The absence of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed US President Joe Biden to make a more affirmative case at the summit, advocating for American investment in the developing world and positioning the US as a credible counterweight to China’s economic outreach.
Biden expressed that he would have welcomed Xi’s presence at the summit, emphasizing that the summit was going well despite Xi’s absence. However, it remains unclear why Xi decided not to attend.
