Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 9 September, welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of G20 during the first day of the multilateral summit in New Delhi.

Calling the Union’s inclusion a “significant stride,” Modi said that this paves the way for a “more inclusive global dialogue.” He added that collaborative efforts between the G20 nations will “benefit not only our respective continents but also the entire world.”

Here’s why the inclusion of the African Union into G20 is a big deal.