RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4068
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.04.2022
PRESIDENCY ROLE OF INDIA IN G-20
4068. DR. SASMIT PATRA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which India is preparing for assuming the responsibility of Presidency of G-20 later this year;
(b) the details of the activities planned; and
(c) the manner in which it would be helpful for India's growth and development?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH]
(a) India will hold the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. G20 comprises of the world’s major developed and developing economies, accounting for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
On 1 December 2021, India joined the G20 Troika of Indonesia, Italy, and India - the current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies, respectively. As a Troika-member, India is working closely with Indonesia and Italy to ensure consistency and further strengthening the G20 agenda. India will assume the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2022 from Indonesia, and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in India in 2023.
Every rotating G20 Presidency also serves as the G20 Secretariat for the year. Accordingly, the Union Cabinet, on 15 February 2022, approved the setting up of a G20 Secretariat, manned by officers and staff from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and other concerned Ministries/Departments dealing with G20 subjects. It is responsible for arrangements and implementation of decisions needed for steering India’s forthcoming G20 Presidency, under the overall guidance and direction of Hon’ble Prime Minister and concerned Ministers. The G20 Secretariat is handling work relating to substantive content of G20 discussions, as well as logistics including preparation of meetings and venues, technical, media and security aspects, and facilitating arrangements for G20 delegates.
(b) As the G20 Presidency, India will set the agenda for the year, identify the themes and focus areas, conduct discussions and work out outcome documents. The G20 Secretariat will be responsible for smooth transition from the previous Presidency, preparations and conduct of all G20 meetings during the year, consultation and coordination with stakeholders and finally handing over to the next Presidency.
The G20 process is divided into Sherpa track and the Finance track. Under the Sherpa track, about 100 official meetings are expected to organized in the areas of employment, health, digital economy, trade, investment & industry, environment & climate, energy, anti-corruption, agriculture, tourism, culture, socio-economic development, education, and women empowerment. In addition, about 50 academic interactions, engagement group meetings and seminars, workshops and side events are expected to be held. Under the Finance track, about 40 meetings are expected to be organized including those in the areas of international financial architecture, financial inclusion and sustainable finance, financing for infrastructure, climate finance and tax matters. In addition, programs and events to showcase India’s diversity and culture and to promote India as a business and tourism destination will also be organized for the visiting G20 delegates.
(c) As the premier forum for international economic cooperation, G20 plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues, reflecting a recognition that global prosperity is interdependent and our economic opportunities and challenges are interlinked. G20 countries have come together in order to prepare for the future better. As a founding member of the G20, India has constantly contributed towards its discussions on issues of global importance, including those that impact on the most vulnerable around the world.
As the G20 Presidency, India will be in a position to identify, highlight, develop and strengthen international support for priorities of vital importance to developing countries in diverse social and economic sectors, ranging from energy, agriculture, trade, digital economy, health and environment to employment, tourism, anti-corruption and women empowerment, including in focus areas that impact the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. The G20 Secretariat will also enable capacity building, including knowledge and expertise, for supporting India’s leadership on and contribution to global issues in multilateral fora in the years ahead. Hosting of G20 Presidency would also result in economic opportunities in different sectors such as tourism, hospitality, IT and civil aviation among others, during our Presidency year.