New Delhi :Amidst the presence of a galaxy of world leaders, the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit began on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan here aiming to address the pressing global issues.

The prestigious two-day global event, which is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brings together leaders from the world’s 20 major economies. Nine other countries — Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates — have been invited as guests

The summit is being attended by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others.

Under its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access.

The agenda also includes discussions on climate change, debt, food security, sustainability, and geopolitical conflict. India, which holds the G20 presidency, has highlighted ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ as the theme of this year’s summit.

India is leveraging its G-20 presidency to establish itself as a global powerhouse, representing the hopes and aspirations of many developing nations.

India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has already said ,”the Declaration was “almost ready” and that they were hopeful of clinching a joint communique by consensus.

The summit, a culmination of various ministerial meetings, working groups, and engagement groups throughout the year, aims to address pressing global issues.

On Saturday, the first day of the summit, two sessions will be held, namely One Earth and One Family. Indian Prime Minister is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings, including those with leaders of United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Italy.

The Prime Minister will be hosting a working lunch on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu will host the state dinner on Saturday evening for the visiting dignitaries.

President Droupadi Murmu welcomed heads of delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi.

In a social media message, she said, “India’s G20 Presidency theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future, is a global roadmap for sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric development”.

“I wish the participants of the G20 Summit every success in their efforts towards realising this vision”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that the New Delhi G-20 Summit will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.

In a social media post, he highlighted that India’s G20 presidency has been “inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented.”

The G20 group is also expected to formally invite the African Union to become a permanent member of the organisation, a move that would give that continent stronger representation in the world’s largest bloc of economic powers.

The G20 is currently composed of 19 nations and the European Union.