NEW DELHI: As the 18th G20 Summit unfolds in the national capital, bringing together a multitude of global leaders and dignitaries, it's essential to delve into the summit's objectives and proceedings.

This high-profile event boasts the presence of more than 30 heads of state, along with distinguished officials from the European Union and invited guest nations. Furthermore, 14 heads of international organizations are set to participate, making it a truly significant global gathering.

India is proudly hosting the G20 Leader's Summit at the recently inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10. The summit's kick-off will see world leaders arriving at Bharat Mandapam from 9:30 am onwards.

The first session, slated for approximately 10:30 am, will revolve around the theme "One Earth," a central topic of discussion among G20 leaders. This session is dedicated to expediting climate action, strengthening mitigation efforts, and reaffirming the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions as soon as possible.

This year's G20 Summit, held under India's presidency, carries the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth · One Family · One Future," drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, this theme emphasizes the value of all life forms - human, animal, plant, and microorganisms - and their interconnectedness on Earth and in the wider universe.

Following the conclusion of the 'One Earth' session and a lunch break, another session titled 'One Family' is scheduled for 3:00 pm as part of the Summit's proceedings.

In the evening, at around 7:00 pm, a dinner hosted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will take place. In addition to foreign delegates, parliamentarians, and current Cabinet ministers, the G20 Summit dinner will be attended by some former senior leaders of the nation.

Distinguished leaders attending this event in the nation's capital include US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be absent from the weekend summit. Instead, China will be represented by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, while Russia will have Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as its representative.

This marks India's first time hosting the G20 Summit, and extensive preparations have been undertaken to showcase India's rich traditions and strengths.

India's key objectives during its presidency include the inclusion of the African Union as a G20 member and the resolution of disagreements related to a joint statement regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Throughout its presidency, India has focused on various critical issues, including inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. India aims to leverage its presidency to foster collaborative solutions that benefit its own population while contributing to global well-being.

The countries participating in the G20 Summit comprise Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the African Union (represented by Comros), and South Africa, among others.

Leaders who have arrived in the national capital include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Alberto Fernandez, and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Additionally, other notable leaders who have arrived in the national capital include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Egypt President El-Sisi, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Also in attendance are African Union Chairperson Azali Assoumani, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Argentina President Alberto Angel Fernandez, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

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