Weekly Current Affairs: 4-10 September 2023
India hosts the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi: a consensus declaration, the African Union's entry, a global biofuels alliance and a new trade corridor, plus the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta.
- International Relations
- Economy
- Environment
- UPSC CSE
- Banking
- UPSC GS2
At a glance
- G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted by consensus
- African Union becomes a permanent G20 member
- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced
01G20 adopts the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration
Why in news
Leaders adopted the declaration by consensus on 9 September 2023, the first day of the summit at Bharat Mandapam.
Key points
- The theme of India's presidency was "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future".
- The declaration covers strong and sustainable growth, the SDGs, green development, reform of multilateral development banks and digital public infrastructure.
- India handed the presidency to Brazil at the close of the summit on 10 September.
Background
The G20 was formed in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis; summits of leaders began in 2008.
02African Union joins the G20 as a permanent member
Why in news
The African Union was admitted as a permanent member at the opening session on 9 September 2023.
Key points
- The AU, a union of 55 member states, joins the European Union as the second regional bloc in the G20.
- India had proposed the AU's membership during its presidency.
- AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani took the bloc's seat at the summit.
03Global Biofuels Alliance launched
Why in news
The Prime Minister launched the alliance on the sidelines of the summit on 9 September 2023.
Key points
- An India-led initiative to speed up the use of sustainable biofuels through technology, policy and market cooperation.
- Founding members include India, the United States and Brazil, the three largest biofuel producers.
- It supports India's ethanol blending programme and energy transition goals.
04India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced
Why in news
A memorandum of understanding on IMEC was signed on 9 September 2023 alongside the summit.
Key points
- The corridor would link India to Europe through the Arabian Gulf with shipping and rail links.
- It has an eastern corridor (India to the Gulf) and a northern corridor (the Gulf to Europe).
- Signatories included India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.
05PM attends the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta
Why in news
The Prime Minister attended the summit and the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta on 7 September 2023.
Key points
- India presented a 12-point proposal covering connectivity, digital transformation, trade and maritime cooperation.
- It was the first summit since ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Weekly quiz: 4-10 September 2023
4 questions - no login needed
1.Which organisation became a permanent member of the G20 at the New Delhi summit?
2.What was the theme of India's G20 presidency?
3.Which country took over the G20 presidency from India?
4.Which country led the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance at the summit?