The United Nations has praised the G20 leaders’ declaration, reached in the Indian capital at the annual summit, which covers topics from climate change to terrorism. Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed appreciation for the agreement’s language about speeding up progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. He also acknowledged India’s role as the current G20 president and a leader of the Global South.
The UN Secretary-General himself had gone to New Delhi asking for cooperation in tackling humanity’s biggest issues, particularly climate action and sustainable development. At the summit session dedicated to climate and environment, he called for greater ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting climate justice.
In addition, the G20 members approved the African Union’s membership, which the UN welcomed as a way to correct the historical imbalance when Africa was not able to have its voices heard.