Today marks 365 days since India assumed the presidency of the G-20. It is a moment to reflect, reaffirm and revitalize the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
When we assumed this responsibility last year, the global landscape was facing multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, growing climate threats, financial instability and the debt crisis in developing countries. And all this against a backdrop of declining multilateralism. In the face of conflict and competition, development cooperation has suffered, slowing progress.
In assuming the presidency of the G-20, India sought to offer the world an alternative to the status quo, a shift from GDP-centered progress to people-centered progress. India sought to remind the world of what unites us, not what divides us. Finally, global dialog had to evolve - minority interests had to give way to the aspirations of the majority. This required a fundamental reform of multilateralism as we knew it.
Inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive - these four words define our approach as G20 chair, and the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, unanimously adopted by all G20 members, is a testament to our commitment to these principles.
Inclusiveness has been one of the main objectives of our Chairmanship. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G-20 brought 55 African countries into the forum, expanding it to 80% of the world's population. This proactive position has contributed to a more inclusive dialog on global challenges and opportunities.
The first summit of its kind, 'Voice of the Global South', convened by India on two consecutive occasions, ushered in a new era of multilateralism. India brought the Global South into the international discourse and ushered in an era when developing countries would take their rightful place in shaping global history.
Inclusiveness has also influenced India's homegrown approach to the G-20, making it the Presidency of the People, corresponding to the largest democracy in the world. Through Jan Bhagidari (people's participation) activities, the G-20 has reached out to 1.4 billion citizens, involving all states and Union Territories as partners. In terms of substantive elements, India has ensured that international attention is directed towards broader development goals, in line with the G-20 mandate.
At a critical juncture in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, India unveiled the G20 Action Plan 2023 to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adopting an integrated, action-oriented approach to interrelated issues including health, education, gender equality and environmental sustainability.
A key area that facilitates this progress is a robust digital public infrastructure. Here, India has played a crucial role in its recommendations, witnessing firsthand the revolutionary impact of digital innovations such as Aadhaar, UPI and Digilocker. With the help of the G20, we have successfully finalized the Digital Public Infrastructure Base, a significant step in global technology collaboration. This database, containing over 50 digital public infrastructures from 16 countries, will help the Global South build, deploy and scale digital public infrastructure to unlock inclusive growth.
For our 'One Earth', we have set ambitious and inclusive goals to create urgent, lasting and equitable change. The Declaration's 'Green Development Pact' addresses the choice between fighting hunger and protecting the planet by laying out a comprehensive roadmap in which employment and ecosystems complement each other, consumption is climate-smart, and production is good for the planet. In parallel, the G20 Declaration calls for an ambitious tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Coupled with the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance and the concerted promotion of green hydrogen, the G20's ambition for a cleaner and greener world is undeniable. This has always been India's ethos, and through Lifestyles for Sustainable Development, the world can benefit from our age-old sustainable traditions.
In addition, the Declaration underscores our commitment to climate justice and equity by calling for substantial financial and technological support from the Global North. For the first time, the need for a quantum leap in development finance, from billions to trillions of dollars, was recognized. The G20 recognized that developing countries will need $5.9 trillion to meet their nationally determined contributions by 2030.
Given the enormous resources required, the G-20 has emphasized the importance of creating better, larger and more effective multilateral development banks. At the same time, India is taking a leading role in UN reforms, especially in restructuring major bodies like the UN Security Council that will ensure a more equitable world order.
Gender equality took center stage in the Declaration, culminating in the establishment of a dedicated Working Group on Women's Empowerment next year. India's Women's Reservation Bill 2023, reserving one-third of seats in the Indian Parliament and state legislatures for women, epitomizes our commitment to women-led development.
The New Delhi Declaration embodies a renewed spirit of cooperation on these key priorities, emphasizing policy coherence, robust trade and ambitious climate action. Proudly, the G20 has achieved 87 deliverables and 118 adopted documents during our Presidency, a marked increase from the past.
During our presidency of the G-20, India led discussions on geopolitical issues and their impact on economic growth and development. Terrorism and the senseless killing of civilians are unacceptable, and we must fight it with a zero-tolerance policy. We must embody humanism, not hostility, and reiterate that this is not an era of war.
I am pleased that during our presidency, India has achieved remarkable results: it has revitalized multilateralism, amplified the voice of the Global South, championed development and fought for the empowerment of women everywhere.
As we hand over the G-20 presidency to Brazil, we do so with the conviction that our collective steps for people, planet, peace and prosperity will resonate in the years to come.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Photo: ndtv.com
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