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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Summit in South Africa, emphasizing the need to redefine global development models that have historically excluded large communities, especially in Africa and the Global South. He proposed three major initiatives, Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, G20–Africa Skill Multiplier, and a global effort against drug-terror networks.
G20 Summit South Africa: PM Modi Highlights Global South Priorities
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday for the G20 Summit, which is being held from November 21 to 23. This summit, held for the first time on African soil, is considered a historic opportunity to strengthen the voice of the Global South. On Saturday, PM Modi addressed the summit and presented three major transformative proposals for global development.
PM Modi meets PMO officers, staff for debriefing on their G20 experience
Addressing the first session of the G20, PM Modi said that the development models implemented for decades have deprived large communities of resources. He said that these models have led to indiscriminate exploitation of nature, which has caused the greatest harm to Africa and the Global South.
Modi said that now is the time for the world to adopt a development model that is equally beneficial to all and sustainable for the future.
Spoke at the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which focussed on inclusive and sustainable growth. With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is… pic.twitter.com/AxHki7WegR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025
Prime Minister Modi, referring to the centuries-old traditional knowledge systems around the world, said that this knowledge has been the foundation of natural balance, social unity, and cultural harmony.
Based on India's Indian Knowledge System (IKS) model, he suggested creating a global traditional knowledge repository to preserve and share these experiences for sustainable lifestyles with the world.
Citing Africa's development as essential for global development, PM Modi announced the "Africa Skills Multiplier" initiative.
Under this scheme:
G20 countries will jointly fund it.
It will be based on a train-the-trainers model.
Goal: To train 1 million certified trainers in 10 years.
These trainers will further impart skills to millions of youth.
G20 Summit Day-2: PM Modi, President Biden, and other leaders pay homage at Raj Ghat
PM Modi described synthetic drugs like fentanyl and drug-terror networks as a major threat to global security. He said they are affecting not only health but also society and national security.
He proposed launching a joint G20 campaign to combat drug trafficking, illicit funding, and terror networks.
PM Modi wrote on the social media platform X that the first session of the summit focused on inclusive and sustainable development. He said that since Africa is hosting the G20 for the first time, it is the right time for the world to rethink its development standards.
Modi described India's principle of "integral humanism" as a guide to sustainable and inclusive development.
In Johannesburg, Prime Minister Modi met with leaders from several countries, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. These meetings discussed bilateral cooperation, trade, security, and challenges facing the Global South.
The G20 comprises 19 countries and two organizations:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UK, the USA, the European Union, and the African Union.
