G20 (Group of 20 countries) Part – II

 

       In earlier part, we have discussed about G20 grouping. In this part we will discuss about 18^th G20 meeting (2023) in India.

               G20 summit in India

             India assumed presidency of G20 from 1^st December, 2022 to 30^th November, 2023. During this period, numbers of meetings have been held or will be held across 50 cities of India and on 32 working streams.

 

                 Main meeting of G20 Sherpa leaders has been accomplished on 9^th and 10^th September 2023 at Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition convention center, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

             In addition to members, other guest countries also invited in the meeting, therefore many foreign delegates and leaders have joined it.

   Invited countries in G20 meeting

·      Member Countries – Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, EU

 

·      Non-G20 Countries – Bangladesh, Mauritius, Singapore, UAE.

·       International institutions – Representatives of WB (World Bank), IMF (International Monetary Fund), ADB (Asian Development Bank), WEF (World Economic Forum) etc.

Theme of India’s G20 presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam” – “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

            This is a Sanskrit phrase taken from ancient Indian literature – “Maha Upanishad”

 

Meaning of Theme – “The World is One Family”

·       Theme affirms the value of all life on earth – human, animals, plants and microorganism – and their interconnectedness on the earth.

·       Theme also focused on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) both at the level of individual lifestyle as well as national development.

G20 logo – it draw inspiration from vibrant colours of India’s national flag – saffron, white, green and blue (chakra).

             G20 logo shows represent the planet Earth with India’s national flower – Lotus.

·       Lotus reflects growth amid challenges.

·       7 petals of lotus represents 7 – continents on earth

·       Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, a perfect harmony with nature

·       Below G20 logo is “Bharat”, written in the Devanagari script.

 

    Beginning of Amritkala – India’s G20 presidency also marks the beginning of period of “Amritkala” (a 25 year period started from 75^th anniversary of India’s independence, 15^th August 2022 to 15^th August 2047).

India’s agenda at G20 Summit

·       Greater inclusivity in financial system.

·       To avoid protectionist tendencies

·       To focus on growth and development of developing countries

·       Global issues discussed in three sessions –

§  One Earth – issue like global economy, food security, climate change, energy & environment, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine etc. are discussed.

§  One Family – issue like inclusive growth, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), health, poverty & inequalities, accelerating efforts towards achievements of SDGs, preparing for COVID – pandemic.

§  One Future – issues like multilateral reforms, digital reforms, cyber threat, and challenges related to better future pointed that future of world depend on future of developing countries.

Significance of G20 Summit, 2023 –

·       Now become G21 – agreed to admit AU (African Union) as permanent member of G20. It is towards increasing representation of developing world.

   AU – It is an organization of 55 countries of African continent.

·       Global Biofuel Alliances (GBA) – is an India led initiative to promote and adopt Biofuels.

       GBA launched by 9 countries including India, US, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa and UAE.

·       India – Middle East – Europe economic corridor (IMEC) – A MoU signed between India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, US, EU, France, Germany and Italy to build IMEC.

      IMEC is an important infrastructure project connecting India, Middle East and Europe. It includes multi transport ways like roadways, railways and waterways.

·       G20 countries came together to eliminate hunger, malnutrition, and acknowledged challenges like food security, energy security, poverty, global warming & climate change etc.

·       G20 leaders came together to work for tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

·       New Delhi declaration, 2023 – G20 summit focused on eliminating all form of terrorism and encouraging FATF support to combat terror financing and money laundering at global level.

India’s Art & Culture presentation in G20 summit –

·       Bharat Mandapam (inspired from Anubhav Mandapam of south India)

·       Bronz statue of Lord Natraj (Chola style)

·       Konark sun temple’s chakra of Odisha

·       Image of Nalanda university

·       Thanjavur paintings and Dhokra art

·       Brass statue of Lord Buddha sitting under Bodhi tree

·       Musical heritage of India –

§  Hindustani Music

§  Carnatic Music

§  Folk Music

§  Devotional Music

Transfer of presidency of G20 –

       PM of India have transferred G20 presidency to Brazilian president, who will officially take over from 1^st December, 2023.

        Although G20 does not represent whole world but a large number of population of world have major stake in G20 group, which represent the large portion of developing world.

 

 

-        By Pooja Gupta