During his opening speech at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally announced the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the Group of 20 top global economies.

Modi extended the invitation, declaring, “I invite the representative of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20.”

He marked the occasion with three gavel strikes, which received applause from those present.

The decision to include the AU comes at a time when global tensions are on the rise.

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Nevertheless, there was substantial support for the AU’s addition to the G20, making it the second regional bloc to gain permanent membership after the European Union.

The G20 represents a select group of the world’s most influential and substantial economies, collectively accounting for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

Member nations include the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey.

President Bola Tinubu is participating in the summit as one of the nine invited guests.