India hands over G20 presidency to Brazil

New Delhi, Sep 10 (EFE).- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) wealthiest countries to Brazil on Sunday.

“I congratulate Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and hand over the (G20) presidentship gavel to him,” Modi said at the closing ceremony of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

As Lula took over the symbolic gavel of the G20 chair, he thanked India for its efforts as the leader of the bloc of the 20 wealthiest nations.

The New Delhi summit concluded a day after the leaders reached an unexpected consensus over a painstakingly negotiated declaration.

The declaration did not refer to the Russian invasion of Ukraine directly but noted “with deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of

wars and conflicts around the world.”

“The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.”

Brazil takes up the mantle of the group of 20 developed and fast-emerging economies.

Lula said under the Brazilian presidency, the G20 will focus on social inclusion, the energy transition, and sustainable development in the social, economic, and environmental sectors.

In his thank-you speech, the Brazilian president said the bloc needed to be united to adequately address today’s global challenges.

“We are not interested in a divided G20,” Lula said.

Modi concluded his last speech as chair of the group by thanking the members for making a joint declaration possible despite their differences.

“As you all know India has the responsibility of G20 presidency till November 2023,” said Modi.

“In the last two days, we have received lots of suggestions and proposals from you. It is our responsibility to look into those proposals and suggestions to see how we can speed up the progress.”

He proposed a virtual G20 session at the end of November to review the topics decided in this summit.

“With this, I declare the conclusion of G20 summit with the theme: One Earth, One Family, One Future”, alluding to the theme of the Indian presidency. EFE

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