India to host G20 development ministers’ meeting in Varanasi from today

The meeting is expected to focus on disruptions in global supply chains, food and energy security challenges, and impacts of climate change among other issues.

The G20 development ministers’ conclave follows the Voice of the Global South Summit that was hosted by India in January, and the decisions taken at the Varanasi meet will also contribute to the UN summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September, the MEA said.

The external affairs ministry added that the Varanasi meeting is taking place amid mounting developmental challenges that have been further aggravated by the economic slowdown, debt distress, impacts of climate change, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity, global supply-chain disruptions, and geo-political conflicts and tensions.

“The G20 development ministerial meeting will be an opportunity to collectively agree on actions for accelerating achievement of the SDGs and foster synergies between the development, environment, and climate agendas while avoiding costly trade-offs that hold back progress for the developing countries,” the MEA said.

The meeting will consist of two main sessions — one on ‘Multilateralism: Collective Actions for Accelerating Progress towards SDGs’ and another on ‘Green Development: A LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Approach’.

Cultural programmes, exhibitions, and excursions have also been organized to provide the delegates a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions of Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world.

The development ministers’ meeting was preceded by the fourth and final development working group (DWG) meeting, which was held in Delhi from June 6-9.

Updated: 11 Jun 2023, 07:13 AM IST