Page 34 - NIS English 1-15 June 2023

G-20 Presidency

Cultural splendour on display...

India sets the agenda for

influential countries

Every state and city in India has its own distinct cultural heritage. Language, dress, and cuisine
differ in the Northeast, South, Hilly Region, and Central India. Not only is India presenting this
diversity in the more than 100 meetings that have taken place during India's G-20 presidency, but
India is also setting the agenda for the countries involved in this influential group. India is also
having success in agreeing on priorities. The third meeting of the Development Working Group
was held in Goa in the first two weeks of May, the second meeting of the Culture Working Group in
Bhubaneswar, and the third meeting of the Energy Transformation Working Group in Mumbai.

India prioritises SDG achievements Group at its third meeting, held from May 8 to
During its G-20 presidency, India has proposed an May 11 in Goa, to work towards and support the
ambitious agenda for the Development Working consensus document.
Group. The agenda seeks inclusive and sustainable Nagraj K. Naidu, Joint Secretary in the Ministry
growth while also advancing the Sustainable of External Affairs, and Eenam Gambhir, G-20 Joint
Development Goals (SDGs). A proposed outcome Secretary, co-chaired the Development Working
document from the Government of India will be Group meeting. Separate sessions were held to
included in the Leaders'-level Green Development finalise the language of outcome documents and
Agreement document, which will include a high- to discuss data for development on environmental
level principle for data and an action plan to lifestyles. During its G-20 presidency, India is
accelerate progress on the SDGs. The same demonstrating a new path to the rest of the world
agreement document will be adopted at the in terms of the economic empowerment of women.
leaders' summit in September 2023. Dammu Ravi, India's presidency ensures that gender concerns
Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of are truly addressed, that services are available to
External Affairs, urged the Development Working all women, and that women's social and economic

32 New India Samachar June 1-15, 2023