The African Union (AU) becomes a member of the G20, the group of top global economies, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during his opening speech at the G20 Summit, which is being held in New Delhi, India.
He said, “I invite the representative of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20.” He announced, before banging his gavel three times to applause in the room.
The AU’s addition to the G20 comes at a time of increasing global division.
The AU’s addition to the G20 was met with widespread support, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union.
The G20 consists of the world’s foremost and influential economies, forming an exclusive assembly.
The G20 countries account for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.