At the first Sherpa Meeting of India’s G20 Presidency, held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, key global issues such as inclusive growth, multilateralism, and women-led development, as well as the 3Fs (Food, Fuel, and Fertilizer), tourism, and culture, were discussed in depth on day three. All five substantive sessions of the Sherpa meeting in Udaipur were completed today.
Initiating the discussion, Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, presented an overview of India’s G20 priorities across six different Working Groups on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Employment, Anti-Corruption, Tourism, and Culture, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation. He stressed the importance of transforming agriculture, trade, employment, and fighting corruption and economic crimes. As delegates discussed global impediments to economic growth, long-term solutions and meaningful partnerships were stressed as essential to achieving resilient growth. As India outlined a wide range of priorities, Shri Amitabh Kant thanked the delegations for their support.
After that, Session 4 addressed multilateral reforms and building institutions that better reflect the priorities of all regions and countries across the globe, and address the challenges of today. A number of issues were discussed related to food, fuel, and fertilizer supply disruptions.
Strengthening and enhancing the mandate and resources of Multilateral Development Banks, reforming the WTO, the importance of Green Hydrogen in achieving green energy transition including for hard-to-abate sectors, and reformed multilateralism for greater peace and harmony, were some of the major areas of discussion. Given the contemporary global socio-economic and geopolitical concerns, it was highlighted that the discussion is timely, and of great significance.
Discussions in session 5 focused on Women-led Development and the need to include women as leaders in development. Participants in the session emphasized the importance of reducing gender gaps, enhancing female capacity through education and skilling, promoting women as leaders, and boosting female employment. Aside from leveraging the tourism sector for SDG achievement, the session also covered protection, promotion, and preservation of culture, as well as restitution of cultural property.
The five substantive sessions held over two days of the Sherpa Meeting have concluded. The G20 Sherpa for India summarized the fruitful discussion of the past three days and stressed the need to strengthen the collective action of the G20 nations. The overarching theme of India’s Presidency — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth. One Family. One Future – resonated throughout the proceedings.
For the G20 Sherpas and delegations, a tour of Shilpgram, a renowned crafts village, followed the substantive sessions. The architecture, as well as the displays of Rajasthani arts and crafts, captivated guests. During the evening, the delegations were also treated to an illuminating and colourful musical performance at the historic Manek Chowk, Udaipur.
