At what was the first G20 Summit held in Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s vision for six new G20-led initiatives on Saturday. These included a global effort to break the drug-terror nexus, a healthcare rapid response team, a traditional knowledge repository, an open satellite data partnership, and a critical minerals circularity initiative. Modi also called for a fundamental rethinking of global development parameters.
Speaking at the inaugural session on inclusive and sustainable growth, Modi emphasized that Africa, as “one of the greatest sufferers” of traditional growth models, deserved a new development approach. He framed his proposals within a vision of “Integral Humanism,” which views the individual, society, and nature as an integrated whole.
“For several decades, the G20 has guided global banking and economic progress. However, the growth principles on which the world has relied thus far have left a sizable portion of the population without resources. “They have also contributed to over-exploitation of nature,” Modi stated at the Johannesburg meeting.
“Today, as Africa hosts the G20 Summit for the first time, it is imperative for us to reconsider the parameters of development,” he stated.
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure, the idea of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE), and more ambitious language on climate finance than previous summits were all confirmed by the G20 Leaders’ Declaration as important Indian priorities for its 2023 G20 presidency. In keeping with India’s holistic approach, the proclamation also acknowledged the significance of complementary and traditional medicine in world health.
The summit’s top four priorities, according to the South African presidency, are debt sustainability for low-income nations, securing funding for a fair energy transition, enhancing disaster preparedness and response, and utilizing vital minerals for equitable growth and sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, Modi commended South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for organizing the summit and highlighted the nation’s accomplishments in the areas of skilled migration, tourism, food security, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, innovation, and women’s empowerment. “The historic initiatives undertaken at the New Delhi G20 Summit have been carried forward here,” said the president.
G20 : Six Global Initiatives
The Prime Minister’s first major proposal advocated for immediate coordinated action against the drug-terror nexus. “To address the challenge of drug trafficking, particularly the introduction of extremely hazardous chemicals such as fentanyl, India has proposed a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus. “Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy,” Modi declared.
The project aims to integrate financial, governance, and security instruments, treating drug trafficking as a threat to public health, stability, and security, while also acknowledging it as “a significant channel for financing terrorism”.
Modi’s second proposal was for the formation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team made up of trained medical professionals from member countries who would be available for fast deployment. “Addressing health emergencies and natural disasters is also our collective responsibility,” he added, adding that the team will be ready to deploy quickly in the event of a global health crisis or disaster.
India has always been in solidarity with Africa. “I am proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he added.
Modi’s fourth proposal was to establish a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository inside the G20 framework. In relation to his broader philosophical worldview, he stated that communities around the world have kept “traditional and eco-balanced ways of life” that represent sustainability, cultural wisdom, social solidarity, and respect for nature.
Modi expanded on the idea of technology for development by announcing the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership. This program would make satellite data from G20 space organizations available to developing countries for agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, and other purposes.
Finally, the Prime Minister proposed the establishment of a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative. This effort would promote recycling, urban mining, second-life battery initiatives, and innovation, so improving supply chain security and paving the road for cleaner development.
“We must work together to ensure that the voice of the Global South is heard and strengthened across all global institutions,” Modi said, indicating India’s commitment to revamping global governance structures in general.
you join our whatsapp channel
you join our tazatimesnews Telegram Channel
you join our tazatimesnews truthsocial.com Channel
