The "G20 Model Meeting" in New Delhi has been concluded successfully
The first official Model G20 Meeting was successfully organized by India's G20 Secretariat and the United Nations India Country Office. The event simulated a G20 meeting where high school students from 8 schools in Delhi/NCR played the roles of G20 delegates, guest countries, and international organizations.
The theme for the meeting was "Youth for LiFE," which focused on the role of global youth in promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle. The LiFE movement aims to create a global network of environmentally friendly individuals, and the students adopted an outcome document titled "Guiding Principles for Youth-led Mission LiFE."
The meeting was jointly inaugurated by India’s G20 Sherpa Mr. Amitabh Kant and United Nations India Resident Coordinator Mr. Shombi Sharp, who highlighted the importance of multilateralism in solving common problems. The activity aimed to introduce students to the process of negotiations in a typical G20 meeting and was part of the Secretariat's Jan Bhagidhari outreach.
The outcome document was handed over to the Chair of the G20’s Youth Engagement Group (Youth 20 or Y20) for consideration at their official Y20 meeting.
12-Feb-2023: 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting was held
Major Highlights of the 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting:
- Theme: "Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future".
- Major focus on enhancing India-ASEAN relationship in ICTs.
- India highlighted reforms to promote fair competition and increase broadband and telecom connectivity.
- Significance of digital transformation for creating an inclusive and equitable society, promoting sustainable development, and empowering citizens through digital means.
- Approval of India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023
- Initiatives for capacity building and knowledge sharing in various areas:
- Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity.
- IoT and AI in Next Generation Smart Cities.
- Role of ICTs in implementing digital health and security.
- Initiatives for capacity building and knowledge sharing in various areas:
ASEAN regional grouping
- Established in 1967.
- Five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
- Chairmanship rotates annually.
Evolution of Bilateral Relations
- India introduced ‘Look East Policy’ in 1990s.
- It transformed into ‘Act East Policy’ in 2014.
- India became ASEAN’s Sectoral Partner in 1992, dialogue Partner in 1996 & Summit-level Partner in 2002.
- ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed in 2009.
- Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement has been signed with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
- India also set up a separate Mission to ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Jakarta in 2015.
- ASEAN India Friendship Year was celebrated in 2022 to commemorate the 30 years of the establishment of dialogue relations between ASEAN and India. This led to the elevation of their Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
Other Areas of Engagement
- Financial Assistance: ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund, ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, ASEAN-India Green Fund.
- Connectivity: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multimodal Project, Maritime Transportation Agreement, railway connection between New Delhi and Hanoi.
21-Jan-2023: 53rd edition of the annual World Economic Forum summit held
Theme: Cooperation in a Fragmented World
Key points:
- Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate launched - brings together over 50 countries to boost international cooperation on climate, trade and sustainable development.
- Chief Economist's Outlook launched - two-thirds of those surveyed expecting a global recession this year 2023. It explores the key trends in the economic environment, including the prospects for growth, inflation and monetary and fiscal policy. It calls for the importance of reskilling in order to prepare current and future workforces for the green transition, the digital transition and the jobs of the future.
- Giving to Amplify Earth Action initiative launched to leverage philanthropic capital to unlock funding for the climate crisis.
- Global Collaboration Village metaverse platform announced. The digital world, designed to look like the actual town of Davos in which the organization meets once every year, will supposedly allow for more efficient collaboration between world leaders.
Indian perspectives:
- India represented by high-level delegation
- Focus areas: investment opportunities, infrastructural landscape, inclusive and sustainable growth story
- India's resilience and economic trajectory:
India has crossed many barriers after the Covid-19 crisis and repositioned itself as the fastest-growing economy.
Some prominent indicators for India to see robust economic growth include World Bank's latest India development update, which said India's real GDP growth is expected to be at 6.9 % in FY22-23 in comparison to 8.7 % in FY21-22.
- India@100 report launched, projecting India's economy to reach USD 26 trillion by 2047
World Economic Forum
Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1971
Mission: improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas
Founder and Executive Chairman: Klaus Schwab
Major reports published:
- Energy Transition Index
- Global Competitiveness Report
- Global IT Report (with INSEAD and Cornell University)
- Global Gender Gap Report
- Global Risk Report
- Global Travel and Tourism Report