India’s G20 presidency will be the voice of Global South

What’s in today’s article?

• About G20
• News Summary

Why in News?

• As India assumed the G20 presidency, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said New Delhi will seek to emerge as the voice of the Global South, and work to depoliticize the global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products.
  • India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022.
• He was addressing the ‘G20 University Connect – Engaging Young Minds’, an event organized to mark the G20 presidency.

What is G20?

Image Caption: GDP of G20 countries

• G20, is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 individual countries and European Union. It was established in 1999.
• G20 was elevated to a forum of Heads of State/Government in 2008 to effectively respond to the global financial crisis of 2008.
• G-20 is a forum, not a legislative body, its agreements and decisions have no legal impact, but they do influence countries’ policies and global cooperation.
• G20 members represent around 80% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and 60% of the world’s population.
• G20 members contribute 79% of the world carbon emissions and hence this platform assumes significance in shaping the discussion on climate change.

H1: News Summary

• To mark the first day of India’s presidency, a special event titled ‘G20 University Connect — Engaging Young Minds’ was organized.
• The event virtually brought together students from 75 universities across the country and was addressed by the EAM S Jaishankar.

H1: Key Highlights

Key points from the speech of EAM

• India’s endeavour would be to create consensus through consultation on key global issues.
• India will look to emerge as the voice of the global south that has had to face the brunt of polarization and conflict in the developed world.
  • Global south comprises Asia, Africa and Latin America.
• India would flag concerns on issues such as energy security, food security, access to healthcare, climate action and climate justice during its G20 presidency.
• He urged students to play a role by acting as ambassadors of the country in showcasing to visiting G20 members the rapid, inclusive progress that India is making now.

G20 logo illuminates 100 monuments

• 100 monuments across the country will be illuminated with the G20 logo and its colours for seven days as India takes over the presidency of the grouping.
  • In November 2022, PM Modi unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 presidency.

Image Caption: G20 Logo

• The logo — Earth juxtaposed with the lotus
• Theme — “Vasudhaiva Kutumba-kam” or “One Earth One Family One Future”
• The logo reflects India’s idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is a family).
• The list of monuments drawn up by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to mark the occasion includes:
  • the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar,
  • the Nalanda ruins in Bihar,
  • the Purana Qila complex and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi,
  • the Modhera Sun temple and the ancient Dholavira site in Gujarat,
  • the Tipu Sultan Palace in Bengaluru,
  • the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh,
  • the Chola temple of Thanjavur and
  • the Konark Sun temple in Puri.
• The Taj Mahal in Agra, despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will not be illuminated with the G20 logo.

Guest countries during India’s presidency

• Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE will be the guest countries at the event.

Troika of G20

• During India’s Presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil would form the troika.
  • This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies.
  • It should be noted that the bloc does not have a permanent secretariat and the presidency is supported by the Troika – previous, current and incoming President.

Q1) Which countries are in G20?

The members of the G-20 are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S., as well as the European Union, represented by the rotating council presidency and the European Central Bank.

Q2) Where is headquarter of G20?

The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat or Headquarters. Instead, the G20 president is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy.