- Wednesday, May 08, 2024
The theme of this year’s summit is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth – One Family – One Future” is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad.
By: Shubham Ghosh
AS New Delhi gets ready to host the 18th G20 summit on Saturday (9) with global leaders in presence, it is important to look at what it holds in its agenda.
The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations.
India is hosting the G20 leader’s summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on Saturday and Sunday (10).
The summit would commence with the arrival of the world leaders at the venue (Bharat Mandapam) from 9.30 am (all Indian Standard Time)onwards.
Around 10.30 am, the first session of the G20 summit: ‘One Earth’ will take place. One Earth will be one of the main topics of discussion during the session at the G20 leaders’ summit.
This session will focus on accelerating climate action through increased mitigation and strengthening the agenda of global net zero emission as soon as possible.
The theme of this year’s G20 summit, which is taking place under India’s presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth – One Family – One Future” — is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.
After the conclusion of the ‘One Earth’ session, and followed by lunch, another session of ‘One Family’ would be conducted at 3 pm as a part of the Summit.
At around 7 pm, the dinner hosted by Indian president Droupadi Murmu will take place.
Besides the foreign delegates parliamentarians and ministers in the current Cabinet, the G20 summit dinner will be attended by some top Indian leaders, including former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda.
US president Joe Biden, British prime minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi crown prince and prime minister Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida are among the key leaders who are attending the event.
Notably, Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend summit. China will be represented at the summit by its premier Li Qiang, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Moscow.
This is the first time that the G20 summit is being hosted by India. Extensive preparations have been underway to portray India’s tradition and strength.
India aims to achieve the twin objectives of adding the African Union as a member of G20 and resolving disagreements about a joint statement related to the war in Ukraine at the Summit.
During the presidency, India has focused on various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. By leveraging its presidency, India is fostering collaborative solutions that benefit its own population and contribute to the broader global well-being.
The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the UK, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the US, Canada, China, the UAE, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union and Singapore.
A warm welcome was accorded to leaders who arrived in Delhi for the summit with prime minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the gathering of world leaders will chart a new path in human-centric and inclusive development.
Among other world leaders attending the summit are Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, among others.
The leaders were welcomed by traditional dance performances.
African Union chairperson Azali Assoumani, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva, Mauritian prime minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) secretary-general, Mathias Cormann, World Trade Organisation director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reached Delhi for the mega event.
