The first session of the G20 Rome Summit kicked off on Friday as world leaders gathered to discuss the global economy and health, reports Asian Lite News
The world leaders of G20 Rome Summit gathered for ‘family photo’ on Saturday, joined by a delegation of frontline health workers at Roma Convention Center in Rome, Italy.
The summit kicked off on Saturday in Rome.
The heads of state and government of the world’s major economies, with invited countries and representatives of international and regional organizations, will address several key topics of the global agenda. Finance Ministers traditionally attend the event as well.
The first session of the G20 Rome Summit kicked off on Friday as world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi gathered to discuss the global economy and health.
G20 leaders were joined by a delegation of frontline health workers at Roma Convention Center in Rome, Italy
For the next two days, the heads of state and government of the world’s major economies, together with invited countries and representatives of international and regional organizations, will address several key topics of the global agenda. Finance Ministers traditionally attend the event as well.
PM Modi, who arrived in Italy on Friday to participate in the two-day G20 Summit, will discuss the global economic situation, COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable development and climate change with G20 leaders.
The G20 is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. Members of the international forum account for more than 80 per cent of world GDP, 75 per cent of global trade and 60 per cent of the population of the planet.
The forum has met every year since 1999 and includes, since 2008, a yearly Summit, with the participation of the respective heads of State and Government.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel seen at the first session of the G20 Summit in Italy. (Image/ANI)
Later, a dinner is planned for G20 leaders and partner countries. The G-20 Summit represents the culminating moment of the intense work carried out during the whole year of the Italian G20 Presidency through Ministers’ Meetings, Sherpa meetings, Working Groups and Engagement Groups.
More than 170 events were held throughout the country that made it possible to highlight many of the extraordinary realities scattered throughout its territory. (ANI)
Modi was received by senior officials of the Italian government and Ambassador of India in Rome, reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Rome to attend the crucial 16th G20 Summit that will take place over the weekend, during which the leaders of the group will discuss the global economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, sustainable development and climate change.
This is the first in-person G20 Summit since the outbreak of the global pandemic in early 2020.
The first day of the Summit will see deliberations on ‘Global Economy and Global Health’, while the second day will witness an address by the Prince of Wales on the topic of the role of private finance in the fight against climate change.
Also on the second day, world leaders will also deliberate on climate change and environment, sustainable development among other issues.
Over the next few days, I would be in Rome, the Vatican City and Glasgow to attend important multilateral gatherings like the @g20org and @COP26. There would also be various bilateral and community related programmes during this visit.https://t.co/0OXpm1Nhcy
Before his departure, Modi tweeted on Thursday: “Over the next few days, I would be in Rome, the Vatican City and Glasgow to attend important multilateral gatherings like the G20 and COP26. There would also be various bilateral and community related programmes during this visit.”
In a separate statement, he said that the Summit will “allow us to take stock of the current global situation and exchange ideas on how the G20 can be an engine for strengthening economic resilience and building back inclusively and sustainably from the pandemic”.
Upon his arrival in the Italian capital on Friday, the Prime Minister said in a tweet: “Landed in Rome to take part in the G20 Summit, an important forum to deliberate on key global issues. I also look forward to other programmes through this visit to Rome.”
Modi was received by senior officials of the Italian government and Ambassador of India in Rome, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Modi’s visit to Rome and the Vatican City till October 31 comes at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi.
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi will also be meeting with leaders of other partner countries and review the progress in India’s bilateral relations with them.
In the Vatican, Modi will call on Pope Francis and meet Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The US said that it would provide donation through aid organisations to the people of Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News
Members of the G-20 meeting in a virtual summit pledged to provide aid to the people of Afghanistan in a bid to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn country, Tolo News reported.
The summit was hosted by Italy on Tuesday. Some members of the summit cited that provision of aids didn’t indicate recognition of the “Taliban” government.
Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, said that her country is not ready to recognise the “Taliban”. According to her, the Taliban have not met the international measures and expectations of the world, the report said.
The US said that it would provide donation through aid organisations to the people of Afghanistan.
Addressing the summit, US President Joe Biden also expressed concerns over the presence of armed groups such as ISIS-K or so-called Daesh group in Afghanistan.
The European Union pledged to provide one million Euro in support of humanitarian donation to the country.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the international community emphasised on preservation of the human rights, particularly the rights of girls and women.
The summit was not attended by the Presidents of China and Russia.
This comes as earlier, the UN and humanitarian organisations had warned of triggering a severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The White House readout did not give details of the American president’s own remarks at the G20 meeting…reports Asian Lite News.
G20 leaders on Tuesday called for a “laser focus” on counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan, especially with regard to threats from the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) group, the White House said in a readout of US President Joe Biden’s participation in the meeting that took place virtually.
The leaders also called for safe passage for adequately documented foreign nationals and Afghan partners wanting to leave the country.
The G20 met for a special session on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, hosted virtually by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Italy currently holds the rotational presidency of the group. The regular summit of G20 leaders is scheduled for later this month in Rome.
“The leaders discussed the critical need to maintain a laser focus on our enduring counterterrorism efforts, including against threats from ISIS-K (another name for IS-K), and ensuring safe passage for those foreign nationals and Afghan partners with documentation seeking to depart Afghanistan,” the White House said.
The leaders also “reaffirmed their collective commitment to provide humanitarian assistance directly to the Afghan people through independent international organisations”, and to promote fundamental human rights for all Afghans, including women, girls and members of minority groups.
The White House further said that the US “remains committed to working closely with the international community and using diplomatic, humanitarian and economic means to address the situation in Afghanistan and support the Afghan people”.
The White House readout did not give details of the American president’s own remarks at the G20 meeting.
Biden’s decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan in August paved the way for the Taliban to return to power, jeopardising the gains of the past 20 years, especially rights of women and minorities.
The US president has faced severe criticism from allies at home and around the world for having abandoned Afghanistan in a move that has been seen as being driven by domestic political expediency.
Warning that Afghanistan is facing “a make-or-break moment”, the UN chief has urged the world to prevent the country’s economy from collapsing. Secretary-general Antonio Guterres also appealed to the Taliban to stop breaking its promises to allow women to work and girls to have access to all levels of education.
He said the UN is urgently appealing to various governments to inject cash into Afghanistan’s battered economy.
The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has taken part in the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, which witnessed the participation of several ministers and officials of the health sector…reports Asian Lite News
The UAE’s delegation was led by His Excellency AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, HE Dr. Youssef Mohammed Al Serkal, Director-General, Emirates Health Services, and H.E. Nasser Al Bdour, Assistant Undersecretary and Office Manager of the Minister, also took part in the meeting along with members from G20 member states, representatives from the concerned international organizations, and the states invited to participate in the event.
The meeting concluded that the G20 countries are determined to surmount the Covid-19 pandemic no matter what, accelerate progress in the health-related sustainable development goals, and ensure that the world is prepared to confront, detect and respond to any future health emergencies.
His Excellency AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais
The participants agreed to spare no effort to enhance global health security and share the G20 experiences as widely as possible, to ensure the adoption of an approach that strengthens the health systems capabilities in order to recover from the pandemic effects.
Pandemic management
The participating delegations stressed the need to invest in healthcare sector in order to achieve and sustain universal health coverage, and promote a strong, comprehensive and accessible primary health care system for all, highlighting the importance of mental health services, especially in times of health emergency.
They also affirmed their willingness to work hand in hand to ensure full implementation, monitoring, compliance and better support of the International Health Regulations, in addition to investing in developing and improving early warning of potential outbreaks, intensifying research initiatives and strengthening risk assessment approaches.
Mental health principles and recommendations
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, a session on mental health was also held, which dealt with the implications of Covid-19 for the mental health of individuals worldwide, as well as its impact on sustainable development goals (SDG).
The principles and recommendations emphasized the importance of adopting a whole-of-society approach to mental health in time of Covid-19, protecting the mental health of frontline workers in the health and social care field, and adopting mental health approach based on innovative solutions and digital environments.
Backing international efforts
ABDULRAHMAN BIN MOHAMED AL OWAIS, HEALTH MINISTER: “The UAE’s participation in G20 Health Ministers’ meeting comes as part of the wise leadership’s vision to support global efforts, strengthen joint cooperation, coordination and exchange experiences between the participating countries to confront the Covid-19 pandemic. It also aims to empower and support health systems worldwide to deal with health emergencies efficiently and achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) in the health care area.
Al Owais pointed out the UAE has participated in all meetings held and has put forward a number of initiatives and views, which contribute to strengthening international cooperation to take coordinated measures to overcome the repercussions of the pandemic.
This stems from the UAE’s firm belief in the importance of combining efforts and embracing a multilateral approach to address global issues, an approach that the UAE is keen to consolidate now more than ever, Al Owais said.
Al Owais hailed the fruitful results of the discussions of the reports submitted by the participating countries and the recommendations made according to them, which contribute to strengthening joint international action to contain the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Al Owais said that the UAE has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in managing and governing the pandemic as an exemplary model. All credit goes to the efficiency of the state’s preventive health system, its proactiveness in taking wise measures, the implementation of the national resilience in all sectors, and the leadership in providing vaccines.
All these elements have contributed to preserving the national gains and enhancing confidence and optimism for the end of the pandemic and entering the recovery stage.
Pioneering experience
The minister of health indicated that the high-level meetings that brought together the G20 members reflect the seriousness and commitment to intensifying joint and effective frameworks to counter the repercussions of the pandemic on the comprehensive development.
He stressed that the UAE is moving steadily and confidently towards the recovery from the pandemic, thanks to guidance and support of the wise leadership, the efficiency of the country’s health system, and the effective and integrated strategy in preserving the state’s gains at all levels, within a participatory national framework among various state institutions.
The UAE has so far vaccinated more than 87 percent of the total eligible population free of charge, which reflects the efforts exerted to protect community members, he added.
Al Owais stressed that The UAE is eager to continue its humanitarian journey which knows no boundaries in support of peoples all over the world, noting that the country leads the Hope Consortium with the aim to oversee the safe distribution of billions of doses of the “Covid-19” vaccine worldwide.
As Sherpa, he will handle negotiations with partner countries on important policy issues….reports Asian Lite News
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been appointed as India’s Sherpa for the G20 ahead of the next Summit scheduled for October 30-31 under Italian Presidency.
As Sherpa, he will handle negotiations with partner countries on important policy issues.
Goyal is India’s Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles.
Prime Minister Modi has been leading India’s representation at G20 Summits since 2014, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release announcing Goyal’s appointment on Tuesday.
India, which has been a member of the G20 since its inception in 1999, will be holding the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022. It will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023 for the first time, the MEA said.
India will be part of the G20 Troika (preceding, current, and incoming G20 Presidencies) from 1 December 2021 till 30 November 2024.
G20 is a major international grouping that brings together 19 of the world’s major economies and the European Union.
Its members account for more than 80% of global GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of global population. (India News Network)
This will support the aspirations of the developing nations, India has said, reports Asian Lite News
India has urged the group of 20 nations (G20) having per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions above the global average to bring it down to the world average, thereby vacating ‘some’ carbon space for developing nations.
The request was conveyed by Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable energy R K Singh at the G20 energy and Climate Joint Ministerial Meeting 2021 on Friday. The minister addressed the meeting virtually.
“The Minister concluded with a vote of thanks and urged those G20 nations which have per capita GHG emissions above the world average to reduce their per capita GHG emissions and bring them down to the world average over the next few years which will vacate the carbon space to some extent and support the developmental aspirations of the developing nations,” the government said in a release.
G20 Energy and Climate Joint Ministerial Meeting 2021 was held under the Italian Presidency on 23rd July in Naples. Energy and Environment Ministers from the G20 nations participated and deliberated upon the pressing issue of climate change.
The Hon’ble Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R K Singh, addressing the #G20Italy Climate and Energy Joint Ministerial Meeting. pic.twitter.com/KXypCnDwIW
— Office of R.K. Singh (@OfficeOfRKSingh) July 23, 2021
Singh encouraged the G20 nations to take immediate steps in this direction so that the world community stays on the right track to leave a better planet for our future generations.
He informed the delegates that against the targeted emission reduction of 33-35 % by 2030, India has already achieved emission reduction of 28% over 2005 levels and at this pace, it is all set to exceed its NDC commitments before 2030.
India has already achieved 38.5 % installed capacity from renewables and when the renewable capacity under construction is also accounted for, the share of renewables in the installed capacity goes well over 48%, which is way above the commitments made under the Paris Agreement, he added.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement which requires each country to outline and communicate their post-2020 climate actions.
Under the NDCs, India has committed to have 40% of the total installed capacity from renewables by 2030 and also to reduce its emissions by 33-35 % from 2005 levels. (India News Network)
The plan will have to be definitely approved by G20 heads of state and government gathering in Rome in October for the annual major summit…reports Asian Lite News.
The G20 Finance Ministers have agreed to go ahead with the plan to design a global tax system that would impose a minimum levy on multinational companies.
After a two-day meeting in Venice, the Ministers and central bank governors on Saturday reaffirmed the common will to reform the international business tax system, reports Xinhua news agency.
If implemented, this would put an end to multinational corporations shifting profits to low-tax heavens around the world.
Great to be in Venice for the #G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting — Grazie Mille to the Italian authorities for their warm welcome and strong leadership of the G20! pic.twitter.com/DzveLcunPN
In the final communique, they wrote that they achieved “a historic agreement on a more stable and fairer international tax architecture” after several years of talks and building on the progress made last year.
“We have endorsed the key components of the two pillars: on the allocation of profits of multinational enterprises and on an effective global minimum corporate tax,” Italian Economy and Finance Minister Daniele Franco said at the closing press conference.
The agreement would be relevant in order to “contribute to stabilizing the international tax system in the coming years” ,said Franco, whose country holds the G20 presidency this year.
However, “additional work is necessary between now and October to fully finalise it”, he said.
The plan will have to be definitely approved by G20 heads of state and government gathering in Rome in October for the annual major summit.
On the economy, the G20 finance leaders said the outlook has improved in many countries since their last meeting in April, mainly thanks to ongoing vaccination campaigns and the roll-out of supportive policies.
The full weight of the @g20org is behind this historic tax deal – which will make our global tax system fit for purpose in a digital age and crucially, is fair.
They underlined that the recovery remains uneven, and “exposed to downside risks, in particular the spread of new variants of the Covid-19 virus and different paces of vaccination”.
“We reaffirm our resolve to use all available policy tools for as long as required to address the adverse consequences of Covid-19, especially on the most impacted, such as women, youth and informal and low-skilled workers,” the final statement read.
“We will continue to sustain the recovery, avoiding any premature withdrawal of support measures, while remaining consistent with central bank mandates and preserving financial stability and long-term fiscal sustainability.”
Created in 1999, the G20 serves as a main and informal forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues.
It comprises 19 countries plus the European Union.
The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain, and the United States.
The group, home to almost two-thirds of the world’s population, accounts for about 86 per cent of the gross world product and 75 per cent of global trade as of 2020.
Jaishankar highlights need for vaccine equity, fair travel regime
In his two-nation tour, the external affairs minister also met OECD Secretary-General and his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of G-20 ministeral meetings, reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and discussed the “Covid challenge” and underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime.
Jaishankar arrived in Italy from Greece on the second leg of this two-nation tour. “A good conversation with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships @JuttaUrpilainen,” Jaishankar tweeted, sharing a photograph of them together.
“Discussed the Covid challenge, our Connectivity Partnership and development cooperation. Underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime,” he further added.
The minister also met OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
“Discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement with Secretary-General @MathiasCormann. Appreciate OECD’s contribution to the G20,” Jaishankar tweeted along with a photograph of the meeting.
In another meeting, he met his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.
Shared views on contemporary challenges at the #G20 Foreign & Development Ministers’ Meeting. pic.twitter.com/svMlC85ACR
“Our conversation covered shared concerns on vaccine equity & access. Also discussed our Climate Action approaches,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meet.
He also shared a photograph of the them together along with the tweet.
The meetings were held on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meetings.
G20 is an influential bloc that brings together the world’s major economies.
The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy in October. India is expected to hold the presidency of the G20 in 2022.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties and discussed global and regional issues.
“Met UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action,” Jaishankar said in a series of tweets.
Spoke at the #G20 session on Africa. Underlined our solidarity with Global South and respect for African priorities. pic.twitter.com/rOPh2JlndG
The external affairs minister met his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio and congratulated him on the successful G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy.
“Discussed taking forward our bilateral relationship. Look forward to seeing him in India, Jaishankar said in another tweet.
He also met his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard C and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and work together in the multilateral arena.
“Our pharma cooperation is particularly important in the times of Covid, Jaishankar said.
He met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and exchanged views on Quad, 2+2 and Covid.
“A typical #G20 conversation – with FM @moteging of Japan. Spoke about Quad, 2+2 and Covid,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
The minister also held a cordial meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan during which he discussed the Covid situation and urged early resumption of flights.
“Cordial meeting with Saudi FM @FaisalbinFarhan. Discussed the Covid situation and urged early flight resumption. Talks also covered our Strategic Partnership and regional situation,” he tweeted.
Jaishankar later met Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau and discussed issues of bilateral concerns.
“Useful conversation with FM @MarcGarneau of Canada on Indo-Pacific, trade & economic cooperation and bilateral concerns. Agreed to remain in touch, he tweeted.
Met U.K. Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action. pic.twitter.com/IDB2c2JlaI
The external affairs minister also met with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.
“Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders’ Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up Covishield’ authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up,” he said after the meeting.
The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
Daniele Franco, Italy’s Minister of Economy and Finance, said confronting the economic damage from the pandemic is the G20’s top priority…reports Asian Lite News
Finance Ministers and central bank governors from the world’s largest economies have agreed on continued financial backing for countries struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic “as long as required”, said the co-chair of a virtual G20 summit.
At the summit on Wednesday, Daniele Franco, Italy’s Minister of Economy and Finance, said confronting the economic damage from the pandemic is the G20’s top priority, reports Xinhua news agency.
Franco said the participants at the second G20 meeting of the year agreed to use “all available policy tools for as long as required” in order to save lives and livelihoods.
Franco also said increasing the global availability of coronavirus vaccines in an “equitable and accessible” way was part of that effort.
G20 Italy(Twitter)
Franco and Ignazio Visco, Governor of the Bank of Italy and the other co-chair of the talks, spoke to more than 100 reporters on Wednesday via video hook-up from Rome.
That was the same format used by Ministers and governors for the negotiations.
While the coronavirus pandemic was the central topic at the virtual summit of representatives from 19 major economies and the European Union, discussions also touched on other pressing issues, such as the need for global action on climate change and the development of standards for a global corporate tax rate.
G20 Italy(Twitter)
Franco noted that the International Monetary Fund had just upped its estimate for GDP)growth to 6.0 per cent, up from 5.5 per cent in January.
He said that was a positive sign, but he warned that the global economic outlook remained “clouded by uncertainty” due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Together, G20 countries account for 80 per cent of the world’s GDP
