G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration

September 12, 2023

The G20 New Delhi Declaration, adopted during the G20 Summit, addresses various global issues and showcases consensus-building efforts between G7 countries and the Russia-China bloc. While much attention is focused on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the declaration covers a range of topics across ten chapters, emphasizing sustainable development, gender equality, counterterrorism, and more.

What does the Declaration Say on Russia-Ukraine Conflict?

The Russia-Ukraine section, crafted through painstaking negotiations, avoids condemning Russia as an aggressor but reaffirms principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the unacceptability of territorial conquest by force. This approach aims to build consensus for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The objectives achieved include recalling the Bali conversation, referring to United Nations texts, and emphasizing key principles for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This approach allowed G7 countries to reaffirm their stance while avoiding direct confrontation with Russia, ultimately fostering consensus for resolving the Ukraine conflict in the future.

What structural changes were introduced in the G20 New Delhi Declaration’s format?

The G20 New Delhi Declaration departed from the traditional joint declaration structure by organizing its content into ten chapters rather than paragraphs. It started with a preamble and featured chapters labeled A to J based on themes. This structural change provided a more organized and structured presentation of the document. It allowed for a clearer delineation of various topics, enabling readers to navigate through different sections more efficiently. While the Russia-Ukraine paragraphs remained at the beginning, the new format facilitated a comprehensive coverage of diverse issues addressed during the summit, making the document more reader-friendly.

What were the key takeaways from the G20 New Delhi Declaration?

Key takeaways from the declaration include Africa’s permanent membership in the G20, a significant step toward greater inclusivity. This inclusion is expected to deepen cooperation with Africa and help address its developmental aspirations. The declaration also recognized all Engagement Groups and Initiatives introduced during India’s G20 Presidency. It set the stage for future G20 Presidencies, including Brazil in 2024, South Africa in 2025, and the US in 2026. These elements signify a commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, and continued engagement with diverse stakeholders and regions in G20 initiatives and leadership.

What major themes and issues were covered in the various chapters of the G20 New Delhi Declaration, aside from the Ukraine-Russia conflict?

The declaration covered a wide range of themes and issues in its chapters. These included sustainable economic growth, financial inclusion, and anti-corruption measures in the chapter on “Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth.” It addressed eliminating hunger, improving health, and enhancing education in the chapter on “Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
The declaration emphasized clean and sustainable energy transitions, value chains of critical minerals, and semiconductors in the “Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future” chapter. Additionally, topics such as reforming international financial institutions, digital public infrastructure, gender equality, counterterrorism, and cultural diversity were addressed in other chapters, showcasing the breadth of issues discussed during the summit.

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