"A new collaboration between North and South"

"Once again," said Federal Chancellor Scholz at the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, "the G20 has made a very clear statement. "The territorial integrity of a state like Ukraine may not be threatened by force by a neighbouring state." The Federal Government considers it a major success that a joint summit declaration was issued at the G20 summit in New Delhi. The Federal Chancellor said it had been a "very successful summit with positive outcomes".

Clear declaration against the use of nuclear weapons

The results went further than many had feared in advance, said Scholz. "Among other things, I am extremely pleased that a clear declaration against the use of nuclear weapons has once again been expressed in this forum,” said the Federal Chancellor as the summit came to a close.

"What we've achieved here in New Delhi is a new collaboration between North and South.” Going forward, he added, creating the world of the future would require a close collaboration with many countries of the global South and the Federal Government of Germany wanted to achieve joint progress on a level playing field with emerging and developing countries.

Important milestone for climate protection

In terms of climate protection, the G20 meeting was an important milestone. Federal Chancellor Scholz spoke in terms of a "summit of decisions”, saying that it was gratifying and trend-setting to be able to establish "efforts to triple global renewable energy capacity" at a G20 Summit for the first time ever. The summit declaration also emphasises the need to ensure that global emissions reach their peak before 2025.

Financial aid for poorer countries

Federal Chancellor Scholz highlighted Germany's contribution to bolstering international financial institutions. Germany announced a 305 million euro hybrid capital support package for the World Bank as part of an ambitious reform process. It aims to support the World Bank not only in its fight against poverty, but also to increase investment in climate protection, the preservation of biodiversity, and the prevention of pandemics.

Download: The heads of state and government of the New Delhi G20 Summit committed to the so-called "G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration".

Federal Chancellor Scholz had stressed at the importance of this meeting of heads of state and government in the current times at the beginning of the summit stating that: "We need the G20 more than ever." 

African Union admitted as member

The African Union was admitted as a member of the G20 on the very first day of the summit, which Federal Chancellor Scholz welcomed as "a great step forward, towards which many, including us in Germany, have been working.” He added that it was remarkable that this goal had been achieved in such a short time. 

Brazil to take over from India

India, which hosted this year's summit in New Delhi, took over the G20 presidency on 1 December 2022. The G20 presidency rotates annually among the member states. The presiding nation is responsible for steering the G20 agenda for a year and hosting the summit. Brazil will take over the presidency after India.

The G20 heads of state and government held several working sessions, with a particular focus on discussing global issues. One of the major subjects discussed this year was the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global consequences, such as those in relation to the economy, food, and energy security. Until such time as Russia ends this war, it is not possible to move on to the regular agenda. 

How important is the G20 Summit?

The G20 summit is the major international forum in which the leading industrialised countries and emerging economies come together. Its members, which include 19 independent states and the European Union, account for over 80 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, 75 per cent of world trade, and are home to 60 per cent of the world's population, which is why the G20 must lead the way in driving progress on global challenges. In particular, the Russian offensive against Ukraine and its consequences, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, have highlighted the importance of global coordination and joint action on the part of the international community.

Rather than being an international organisation, the G20 is an informal body with no administrative apparatus of its own and no permanent representation, which means that its decisions are not legally binding. However, the obligations taken on by its member states have a not inconsiderable political binding effect.

Please see the Topic page for an overview of the background and working methods of the G20.