The 100th meeting of the G20 is held during the Indian presidency

On April 17, India celebrated a key milestone in its G20 Presidency, with its 100th G20 meeting being held, the Meeting of Chief Agricultural Scientists (MACS) in Varanasi. On the same day, the 2nd Health Working Group in Goa, the 2nd Digital Economy Working Group in Hyderabad and the Pioneering Meeting of Space Economy Leaders in Shillong were held.

Following the handover of the G20 Presidency to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Bali on November 16, 2022, India’s one-year G20 Presidency began on December 1, 2022 and will continue. until November 30, 2023. Earlier, on November 8, 2022, the Prime Minister had launched the G20 logo and unveiled the theme of the G20 India Presidency viz: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or ” One Earth. One family. One future.” Designed in the colors of the national flag of India, the G20 logo symbolizes a focus on the planet and growth amidst challenges.

The Group of Twenty (G20) is made up of 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey , United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union. The members of the G20 represent about 85% of world GDP, more than 75% of world trade and about two-thirds of the world’s population.

In-person participation during the Indian G20 Presidency is one of the largest ever. More than 12,300 delegates from more than 110 nationalities have so far attended G20-related meetings. This includes the participation of G20 members, 9 invited countries and 14 international organizations.

The 2nd meeting of the G20 Health Working Group will begin

To date, the 100 G20 meetings have been held in 41 cities, spanning 28 States and Union Territories. The meetings are being organized across India with the full support and participation of the State and Union Territory Governments. During the Indian Presidency, the country will host foreign delegates to more than 200 G20-related meetings in some 60 cities across the country, the largest geographical spread of any G20 Presidency. The 13 Sherpa Track Working Groups, the 8 Financial Track Work Streams, the 11 Commitment Groups and the 4 Initiatives have embarked on substantive interactions.

Under the current G20 Chairmanship, a new Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Task Force, a new Startup 20 Engagement Group and a new Initiative, the Chief Scientific Advisors Roundtable (CSAR) have been launched. . The 11 Engagement Groups provide a platform for dialogue between the private sector, academia, civil society, youth and women, as well as institutions, including Parliaments, audit authorities and city administrations.

ministerial meetings

To date, three ministerial meetings have been held. The first Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (FMCBG) was held in Bengaluru on 24-25 February 2023. February 2023, the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) was held in New Delhi on March 1-2, 2023, and the second GMCBG meeting was held in Washington DC on April 12-13, 2023. Two Sherpa meetings have been held in Udaipur (December 4-7, 2022) and Kumarakom (March 30 – April 2, 2023).

The FMCBG, FMM, and Sherpa meetings saw record high-level participation from all delegations with ministerial-level dignitaries. 28 Foreign Ministers (from 18 G20 members, 9 invited countries and AU President – Comoros) and 2 Vice/Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs (from Japan and the Republic of Korea) attended the FMM.

These ministerial meetings concluded with substantial outcome documents that fostered consensus on shared G20 priorities. These include the consensus on the creation of a group of experts on MDB reforms and on the treatment of debt in the 1st FMCBG, and on multilateral reforms, development cooperation, food and energy security, the Counter-Terrorism, New and Emerging Threats, Global Capability Mapping, and Disaster Risk Reduction at the FMM.

Indian G20 presidency promotes culture

During its Presidency, India is also amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries. The Voice of the Global South Summit held in January 2023, chaired by the Prime Minister, saw the participation of 125 countries, including 18 at the Heads of State/Government level and others at the ministerial level. Furthermore, during India’s current Presidency, the participation of Africa is the highest ever, which includes South Africa (G20 Member), Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, the AU Presidency – Comoros, and AUDA-NEPAD. .

Unique experiences showcasing India’s diversity, inclusive traditions and cultural richness are also an integral part of the visiting delegates’ programme. Millet-based dishes have been added to the menu and a wide range of cultural performances and excursions have been organized. More than 150 cultural events, with the participation of more than 7,000 artists, in which local and national art forms have been shown.

Many Jan Bhagidari activities are also being held simultaneously with the active participation of the public in a whole-nation, whole-of-society approach, making the Indian G20 Presidency a ‘G20 of the people’. These include G20 University Connect conference series, G20 model meetings, special G20 sessions at schools/universities, G20 pavilions at major festivals, trivia contests, selfie contests, #G20India stories and hundreds of other themed events from around the world. G20 organized by civil society and the private sector.

the 100 G20 meetings have been held in 41 cities, spanning 28 States and Union Territories

Substantive discussions during India’s current G20 Presidency encompass broad priority areas such as inclusive and resilient growth; progress on the SDGs, green development and the Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE); technological transformation and public digital infrastructure; the reform of multilateral institutions; development led by women; and international peace and harmony.

The Indian Presidency of the G20, in the preparations for the New Delhi Leaders’ Summit on September 9 and 10, has received immense support from the international community and from the invited countries for its inclusive, ambitious, action and decisive. The wide, massive, large-scale and enthusiastic G20 meetings in India is a testament to G20 Members and guests coming together under the auspices of India to collectively address contemporary global challenges.