President Biden was not among other world leaders in the traditional “family photo” at the last 20-nation summit of the president's term on Monday.
Biden arrived with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but soon after photographers finished snapping pictures with other smiling leaders stationed on risers. A senior Biden official said the president did not participate, citing “logistical issues.”
“Due to logistical issues, family photos were taken early before all leaders arrived. As a result, many leaders were not physically present when the photos were taken,” the official said. Ta.
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President Biden (left) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrive late for a group photo at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, November 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)
The official said Biden missed the photo due to bad timing because he wanted to avoid being photographed with powerful U.S. rivals, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He emphasized that this is not the case.
Mr. Biden's absence left Mr. Jinhira front and center in a line of leaders lined up against the blue skies and blue waters of Rio de Janeiro.
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Leaders pose for a group photo while attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, November 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)
Mr. Lavrov stood in a less conspicuous back row.
Mr. Biden and Mr. Trudeau arrived together at the designated photo location and stood for a moment, looking around. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also did not take part in the group photo that is a staple of such summits.
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Leaders attending the G20 summit pose for a group photo with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, Monday, November 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)
Notably, Biden did not arrive via the red carpet ramp used by other world leaders. Instead, he was seen making a sharp right turn on his way to the rally, refusing to use the ramp leading to the building's entrance.
The official said the president did not use the ramp “due to safety concerns.”
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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks after taking part in a group photo during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, November 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Perez)
“Several leaders of countries facing high threats did not take advantage of the open ramp and instead chose a different red carpet route,” the official said.
The G20 summit brings together leaders of the world's largest economies to discuss efforts to fight hunger and poverty. In remarks at the summit on Monday, Biden told attendees to increase investment in the World Bank, provide debt relief to struggling countries, and fight for wars that contribute to hunger, including wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He called for an end to ongoing conflicts around the world.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
