G20 countries agree on joint communiqué on first day of summit

The G20 agreed on a joint communiqué on the first day of the summit in New Delhi.

This was reported by the summit's press service.

The leaders of the countries participating in the summit did not condemn Russia's war against Ukraine in the text of the communiqué but instead "drew attention to the human suffering and additional negative consequences of the war in Ukraine".

The G20 Declaration also noted Turkey's efforts in the Black Sea Initiative.

"We call for ... immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers/inputs from Russia and Ukraine. This is necessary to meet demand in developing countries and least developed countries, especially in Africa," the text reads.

"The G20 also welcomes all "constructive initiatives aimed at supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine".

The communiqué could not be agreed for a long time due to different views on the war against Ukraine. Western countries insisted on a strong condemnation of Russia in the Declaration, while countries such as Russia and China stressed that the forum "is not the place for geopolitics".

It will be recalled that the African Union was invited to join the G20 as a permanent member.