Johannesburg, South Africa – The G20 summit in South Africa concluded today with a strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and a renewed commitment to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The participating nations adopted a declaration that reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, denouncing attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

The declaration echoed the priorities of India's 2023 G20 presidency, with a particular emphasis on combating terrorism. Indian officials highlighted the importance of a unified stance against terrorism, emphasizing that the world must show no tolerance or accommodation for terrorist activities. Prime Minister Modi is expected to present India's perspectives on the G20 agenda during the summit's sessions.

The G20 leaders reiterated their resolve to prevent and suppress terrorist acts through increased international solidarity and cooperation, recognizing the UN's central role and adhering to international law, human rights law, and humanitarian law. They also addressed the growing flow of foreign terrorist fighters and the threat they pose to all states, resolving to enhance cooperation and develop effective counter-measures.

In addition to combating terrorism, the G20 nations pledged to work towards a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in regions experiencing conflict, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Ukraine.

A key focus of the summit was the reform of the UNSC. The declaration included a pledge to reform the Security Council through a transformative process that aligns it with the realities and demands of the 21st century. The goal is to make the UNSC more representative, inclusive, efficient, effective, democratic, accountable, and transparent to the entire UN membership. This would allow for better responsibility sharing among all members while improving the body's effectiveness and transparency. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized the need to reform multilateralism to ensure global stability and development.

The G20's focus on counter-terrorism has evolved over time, expanding from primarily addressing international economic issues to include global security challenges like terrorism and terror financing. The group's commitment includes freezing terrorist assets under UN Security Council Resolutions and enhancing international cooperation through information exchange.

This year’s summit marks the first time the G20 has met on African soil, underscoring the importance of including perspectives from the Global South in addressing global challenges. The summit is considered important for India, allowing it to continue its priorities from its successful 2023 presidency.