The G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in India’s National Capital, New Delhi, from September 8 to September 10, is poised to bring together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies. The summit carries the weighty agenda of seeking solutions to pressing global challenges, particularly in the backdrop of escalating tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict. Here is a breakdown of confirmed attendees, likely participants, uncertain attendance, and notable non-attendees:
Confirmed Attendees:
- U.S. President Joe Biden: President Biden is set to attend and will address key issues, including the social impact of the Ukraine conflict, clean energy transition, climate change, and bolstering multilateral banks to combat poverty.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: Trudeau has confirmed his participation and expressed disappointment over Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy not being invited, unlike the previous year.
- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: Sunak will make his inaugural official visit to India as the UK’s Prime Minister during the summit.
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: As the current G7 chair, Kishida is expected to lead criticism against Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict.
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: Australia views the G20 as a crucial forum for global economic cooperation. Albanese’s visit to India is part of a larger three-nation tour, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol: Yoon has confirmed his attendance and aims to garner international support against North Korea’s missile provocations and nuclear threats while focusing on denuclearization.
- French President Emmanuel Macron: Macron will attend the summit and hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi.
- Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez: Fernandez is set to attend the summit.
- Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu: Tinubu has already arrived in the National Capital and aims to promote foreign investment in Africa’s largest economy and mobilize global capital for infrastructure development.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: Scholz has stressed the significance of the G20 summit despite the absence of Russia and China.
Likely Attendees:
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa: Ramaphosa has expressed full support for India’s G20 presidency and intends to attend, as India seeks permanent African Union membership in the G20.
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan: Erdogan plans to visit India and prioritize discussions on climate change.
- Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: While not officially confirmed, media reports suggest his attendance.
- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: Likely to attend, Hasina is said to be organizing a meeting with French President Macron in New Delhi following the summit’s conclusion.
Uncertain Attendance:
- Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: Brazil is expected to assume the G20 presidency in December but has not confirmed attendance.
- European Union: The presence of European Union leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, remains unconfirmed.
- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador: Multiple media reports suggest Obrador is unlikely to attend.
Notable Non-Attendees:
- Chinese President Xi Jinping: Jinping will not be present in India for the upcoming G20 Summit and has designated Premier Li Qiang to represent China at the event.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin: Prior to the G20 Summit, Putin conveyed to Prime Minister Modi his decision not to attend. Instead, Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.
As world leaders gather for the G20 summit, the focus remains on addressing critical global challenges, despite the notable absence of some leaders due to geopolitical tensions and other factors.
