Biden, Trudeau and Meloni miss Rio G20 Summit photo with world leaders

US President Joe Biden was nowhere in the official G20 photo taken on Monday (Nov. 18) beside the Brazilian capital city's bayside.

Frustrated US officials blamed “logistical issues” for the blunder. 

"They took the photo early before all the leaders had arrived. So a number of leaders weren't there," a US official said on condition of anonymity, as per news agency AFP.

But Biden was not the only leader missing from the photo, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were also seen nowhere in the picture. 

Also read | G20 summit ends in Rio with no progress on climate

Biden has been making a last pitch for global support on issues ranging from Ukraine and Gaza to climate change before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House for his second stint.

China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi, and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were seen chatting in the front row before posing together.

Key Discussions 

At the G20 summit, Biden urged the world leaders to back Ukraine's "sovereignty." It was his first comment since it emerged on Sunday that he had approved the use of US-made long-range missiles by Ukraine inside Russia.

Biden further pushed G20 leaders to pressure Hamas on a ceasefire deal with Israel.

But as Trump returns to the White House, he could reverse Biden's decisions, including the aid to Ukraine.

Also read | G20 leaders gather to address wars, climate and Trump’s return

On November 17, Biden visited the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

The tour was intended to promote his record on climate change, despite Trump threatening to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement.

At the G20, Biden announced a $4 billion pledge for a World Bank fund that helps the world's poorest countries.

The White House called the pledge "historic."

(With inputs from agencies)