G20
India held the presidency in 2023, when the African Union became a permanent member.
Written by Pratidin; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work
Began as a forum of finance ministers.
Quick recall
- When was the G20 formed?
- 1999.
- When was the first leaders' summit?
- 2008, in Washington.
- Which body became a permanent member in 2023?
- The African Union.
- What was India's 2023 theme?
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future.
- Does the G20 have a secretariat?
- No; it works through a rotating presidency and troika.
- What is the troika?
- The past, current and next presidencies.
Asked before in UPSC
Recurring theme: G20 as a forum for global economic governance
Tests the G20's 1999 origin as a finance ministers' forum and India's 2023 presidency priorities.
Tests the G20's debt-relief role through the Common Framework.
Tests G20 membership, which now also includes the African Union as a permanent member since India's 2023 presidency.
The basics
Why it matters
The G20 brings together major economies to coordinate on the global economy. India held the presidency in 2023, when the African Union became a permanent member.
How it evolved
Key milestones.
- 1999Finance ministers' forum
- 2008First leaders' summit, Washington
- 2023India's presidency; African Union joins
- 2023New Delhi Leaders' Declaration
You now know
- Formed in 1999; leaders' summits since 2008.
- 19 countries plus the EU and the African Union.
- No permanent secretariat; rotating presidency and troika.
- India's 2023 theme: 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
Go deeper
In one line: The G20 is the premier forum for economic cooperation among major economies.
Why it matters for UPSC
India's 2023 presidency outcomes are frequently asked.
The core idea
India used it to amplify the Global South and push reforms like Multilateral development bank reform.
Where to go next
- Global South: Developing countries' collective voice
- Multilateral development bank reform: Making the World Bank and others lend more
In one line: The G20's strength is its reach; its weakness is non-binding decisions.
India's legacy
African Union membership, digital public infrastructure, and focus on the Global South and Multilateral development bank reform.
Where to go next
- Global South: Developing countries' collective voice
- Multilateral development bank reform: Making the World Bank and others lend more
Global South
Developing countries' collective voice
In one line: The Global South refers to developing countries mostly in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
India's role
Voice of the Global South summits.
Issues
Debt, climate finance, reform of global institutions.
Where to go next
- Multilateral development bank reform: Making the World Bank and others lend more
Multilateral development bank reform
Making the World Bank and others lend more
In one line: MDB reform aims to make banks like the World Bank lend more and faster for development and climate.
G20
India's presidency commissioned an expert group on it.
Where to go next
- Global South: Developing countries' collective voice
Prelims-style quiz
The African Union became a permanent G20 member in:
- 2023
- 2019
- 2021
- 2024
Show answer
Answer: (a) 2023. 2023, under India's presidency.
Consider the following:
1. The G20 has a permanent secretariat.
2. G20 leaders' summits began in 2008.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only. No permanent secretariat.
India's G20 presidency theme was:
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
- Sabka Saath
- Atmanirbhar Bharat
- One Sun One World One Grid
Show answer
Answer: (a) Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
The G20 was created after the:
- Asian financial crisis
- 2008 financial crisis
- Cold War
- Oil shock of 1973
Show answer
Answer: (a) Asian financial crisis. Asian financial crisis (1997-98).