As G20 head, India seeks to resolve problems of Global South facing perfect storm

Varanasi: The G20 Development Ministers’ meeting started in Varanasi on Sunday with 200 delegates from G20 nations, nine guest countries and 10 international organisations.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with Australian Minister for International Development Pat Conroy and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze.

He also met UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan and EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

The mandate of the meeting is to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackle climate change issues and further practical solutions for developing countries. The meetings will focus on multilateralism and green development.

Highlighting the overall global climate, the Ministry of External Affairs in a press statement said: “The Varanasi Development Ministers’ Meeting takes place amidst mounting developmental challenges that have been further aggravated by economic slowdown, debt distress, impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity, cost-of-living crisis, global supply-chain disruptions, and geo-political conflicts and tensions”.

India as the president of the G20 for this year is taking a lead in fostering a climate of development and progress for the nations of the South. Earlier in January, India had organised the Global South Summit to act as a voice for the developing nations and highlight the common concerns like food, fuel and fertiliser that form a common matrix.

The nearly 200 delegates were welcomed with traditional Indian hospitality as they arrived in India’s holy capital on Sunday. They enjoyed a cruise in river Ganga, witnessed the grand Ganga Aarti and saw folk and traditional musical performances.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the delegates on Monday as the country underlines the importance of the global development agenda for a world coming out of the shocks of Covid as well as the war in Ukraine.

(This article was first published on India Narrative)