1. Digital economy working group meeting of G20 to be held in Lucknow
Tags: Summits National News
As part of India's G20 chairmanship, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the first Digital Economy Working Group meeting in Lucknow from February 13-15.
An overview of the news
This year three defined areas will be discussed with representatives from all 20 countries.
The first is digital public infrastructure in which India has done a lot of work in this area with schemes like UPI, UIDAI, Diksha, Kovin, eSanjeevani and other apps developed in the Covid era.
Cyber security will be another important aspect of the meeting.
The third issue that will be discussed is digital skilling.
India is launching various projects in this area and providing skills through PM-DISHA and Future Prime Skills with NASSCOM, which is the National Association of Software and Service Companies.
During the meeting on the first day, side events will be organized which will showcase the work done by the State and Central Governments.
The Digital Economy Working Group was first introduced at the G20 in 2017.
Four workshops focussing on digital public infrastructure
Sharing implementation experiences of digital identity in various countries.
Sharing of cyber security solutions for MSMEs.
Digital public infrastructure to boost attainment of sustainable development goals and use of geo-spatial technologies for infrastructure.
Product development in the digital economy.
Global Digital Economy
The global digital economy is currently estimated at US$11 trillion and is expected to reach US$23 trillion by 2025.
Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) plays a critical role in shaping the global policy discourse in the digital space.
2. DHARA - Annual Meeting of Members of the River Cities Alliance to be held In Pune
Tags: Summits State News
A first of its kind two-day international conference, DHARA 2023, is being organised in Pune to discuss strategies for managing urban rivers.
An overview of the news
DHARA stands for -Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers.
DHARA is the annual meeting of the members of the River Cities Alliance (RCA).
The meeting is being organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 13 to 14 February in Pune.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will deliver the keynote address on the inaugural day of the event, while Kaushal Kishor, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, will deliver the concluding speech on the second day.
DHARA 2023 will provide a forum for commissioners, additional commissioners, chief engineers and senior planners of the 95 member river cities in India to discuss management and solutions for local water bodies.
The event has strong synergy with the Urban 20 (U20) initiative under India's G20 Presidency.
River Cities Alliance (RCA)
It was launched in 2021 as a dedicated platform for river cities of India for discussion and exchange of information for sustainable management of urban rivers.
It was started with 30 cities in 2021 and currently has 95 cities as members across India.
It is formed by the successful partnership of the two Ministries - Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It focuses on three broad themes - networking, capacity building and technical support.
It will enable cities to learn from each other's success and failure and connect people to rivers.
3. 12th World Hindi Conference to be held in Fiji
Tags: Summits International News
The three-day 12th World Hindi Conference will be held in Fiji from February 15.
An overview of the news
The conference is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs of India in collaboration with the Government of Fiji.
The main theme of the conference is "Hindi - Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence'.
The Conference will be inaugurated by Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Apart from one plenary session based on the main theme, 10 parallel sessions will be held.
Representatives of 50 countries are likely to participate in the World Hindi Conference.
The event will be used to promote Hindi as a global language.
World Hindi Conference
The first World Hindi Conference was held in Nagpur in 1975 to popularise Hindi as a global language. At that time Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
11th World Hindi Conference was held at Port Louis, Mauritius between 18-20 August' 2018.
Hindi Diwas
Every year 14 September is observed as Hindi Diwas in India.
On this day in 1949 the Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as the official language of the country.
Republic of Fiji
It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Suva
Currency: Fijian Dollar
Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
4. Two-day inception meeting of G-20 EMPOWER group of Ministry of Women & Child Development begins in Agra
Tags: Summits National News
The two-day establishment meeting of the G-20 EMPOWER Group of the Ministry of Women and Child Development began in Agra from 11 February.
An overview of the news
The theme of the meeting : Empowering Women to Lead across Sectors: Role of Digital Skilling and Future Skills.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry of India for G20 EMPOWER.
Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, is the chairperson of EMPOWER 2023 during India's G20 Presidency.
Under India's G20 presidency, EMPOWER will host three meetings in February, April and June 2023 in Agra, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal respectively.
An exhibition will also be organized during the event to showcase the work of women-led micro-enterprises, women artisans and craftsmen from different states.
Women leaders from G-20 countries, guest countries, international organisations and the private sector have been invited to the founding meeting.
India's G20 Presidency is inclusive, equitable, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented for the economic empowerment of women.
About G20 EMPOWER
The G20 Alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation (EMPOWER) is an alliance of G20 business leaders and governments.
It aims to accelerate women’s leadership and empowerment in the private sector.
The G20 Empower 2023 under India's chairmanship is prioritising the shift from women's development to women-led development.
5. Urban-20 City Sherpas’ meet begins at Ahmedabad in Gujarat
Tags: Summits National News
A two-day Urban-20 City Sherpas’ meet began on 9 February in Ahmedabad.
An overview of the news
More than 30 international cities are participating in this two-day event to discuss the sustainable development of U20 cities.
Following the meeting, a draft communique will be finalised which will be issued during the Mayors Summit later this year.
The meeting is being organized by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
The purpose of the meeting is to focus on fostering solidarity between cities to find common solutions that are in line with the overall objectives of the G20.
This is the third meeting to be held in Gujarat as part of India's chairmanship of the G20.
About Urban-20
The U20, one of the G20's engagement groups, provides a forum for cities in the G20 countries to discuss and collectively address key urban development issues – climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility and affordable housing.
Six priority areas of U20
Environment-friendly behaviour,
Water security,
Climate finance,
Local identity,
Urban planning and administration
Digitalisation of urban amenities
6. First G20 Tourism Working Group meeting at Dhordo in Kutch region of Gujarat
Tags: Summits National News
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As part of India's G20 Presidency, Gujarat is hosting the first Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting at Dhordo Tent City in the Rann of Kutch from 7 February.
An overview of the news
Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union Fisheries Minister Purushottam Rupala and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will officially inaugurate the meeting.
The participants will be senior representatives from G20 member states, invited countries and international organisations.
This will be the second G20 event in the state after the 'Business 20 Inception' event held in Gandhinagar last month.
First Global Tourism Investors’ Summit (GTIS)
The Ministry of Tourism will organise the first Global Tourism Investors Summit (GTIS) in April/May 2023 in New Delhi.
The aim of the conference is to attract global investment in the Indian tourism and hospitality sector along with investments in tourism infrastructure, technology, skill development, startups and more.
Five priority areas in the tourism sector
Green Tourism -Greening of the tourism sector of India for a sustainable, responsible and resilient tourism sector.
Digitalization -Harnessing the power of digitalization to promote competitiveness, inclusion and sustainability in India's tourism sector.
Skills Development -Empowering youth with skills for jobs and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.
Tourism MSMEs -Nurturing tourism MSMEs. Startups and the private sector to unleash innovation and dynamism in the tourism sector.
Destination Management -Rethinking the strategic management of destinations towards a holistic approach that delivers on the SDGs.
7. 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Meeting
Tags: Summits
The 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders' Meeting is being hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in Lucknow on 6 February.
An overview of the news
It is being attended by delegations from eight member countries of the Organization as well as audit chiefs from India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Girish Chandra Murmu, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, will deliberate on the main theme of the meeting - 'Integrating Emerging Technologies in Audit'.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandi Ben Patel will inaugurate the meeting.
The delegates attending the meeting will share views on machine intelligence, cyber security and digital technology.
India currently holds the presidency of the SCO, which rotates annually among the member states.
India's 2023 theme is 'Towards a Secure SCO'.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
CAG is the Constitutional Authority in India.
It was established in accordance with Article 148 of the Constitution of India.
The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
The CAG is the statutory auditor of Government-owned corporations.
It enjoys the same status as the sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
Appointment: Appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal.
Tenure: A period of six years or upto the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Constitutional Provision
Article 148: CAG, his appointment, oath and conditions of service are specified.
Article 149: It deals with the duties and powers of the CAG.
Article 150: The accounts of the Union and the States shall be maintained in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, determine.
8. NTPC hosts international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage’
Tags: Summits National News
NTPC hosts an international seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage’ (CCUS) at First Energy Transitions Working Group meeting in Bengaluru under the aegis of G20 India Presidency on 5 February.
An overview of the news
In India's presidency of G20 the first Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting was held from 5th February to 7 February 2023.
CCUS aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Energy PSUs including NTPC and ONGC are looking to tap the potential of this sector in India.
Outcomes of the seminar
The “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) – Technology Gaps and International Collaboration”, commissioned under the G20 India Presidency, was unveiled.
A 3D model of NTPC's flagship project on Methanol Synthesis from Flue Gas CO2 was displayed at the event.
More than 200 dignitaries, speakers, panellists and delegates from various countries attended the event.
What is Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS)?
It is a technology that can capture and effectively utilize high concentrations of carbon dioxide emitted by industrial activities.
This allows the captured carbon dioxide (CO2) to be used in other industrial processes or in the manufacture of consumer products, instead of being stored.
9. First meeting of Youth-20 Engagement Group begins in Guwahati
Tags: Summits
The first meeting of the three-day Youth-20 Engagement Group under India's G20 chairmanship began in Guwahati, Assam on 6 February.
An overview of the news
The meeting will be held at the IIT-Guwahati campus.
The summit will provide an opportunity for students to present their views to a worldwide audience.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur will hold 'Yuva Samvad' with Y20 delegates, followed by the release of White Paper on various topics.
More than 150 youth delegates from G20 countries are participating in the meeting.
More than 12000 college and university students are also expected to participate in the meeting.
Each higher education institution in Assam will also organise an awareness campaign in 10 nearby schools to sensitise the schools about the G-20 grouping and functioning.
Y-20 works with the objective of providing a platform to the youth to raise their concerns on contemporary issues.
Theme of discussion
Future of Work: Industry 4.0
Innovation and 21st century
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability as a Way of Life
Peace Building and Reconciliation: Ushering in an Era of No War
Shared Future
Youth in Democracy and Governance
Health, Wellbeing & Sports: Agenda for Youth
About Youth-20
Y-20 was launched in 2012.
It is the youth edition of the G-20 Summit and the only officially recognized forum for youth to engage with the G-20.
It is one of the most influential international diplomatic forums for young leaders.
It is one of the eight official engagement groups under the G-20 umbrella.
10. The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February. An overview of the news Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working gr
Tags: Summits National News
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The first meeting of the G-20 Energy Transition Working Group under the chairmanship of India will be held in Bengaluru from 5 to 7 February.
An overview of the news
Representatives of G-20 countries and guest countries will be part of the working group.
In addition, representatives of major international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United National Development Program, the International Energy Agency, the Clean Energy Ministerial, and the International Solar Alliance will participate in the meeting.
The delegates will visit the Infosys Green Building Campus in Bengaluru and the Mega Solar Park in Pavagada as evidence of efforts to mitigate climate change.
Topics of discussion
Technology gaps in energy transition,
Low-cost financing for energy transition,
Energy security and diversified supply chain,
Industrial carbon transition
Fuel for the future
A roadmap for doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030,
An action plan for enhancing and promoting bio-energy cooperation,
Recommendations on global best practices for supporting affordable, and inclusive energy transitions
Planned Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting (ETMM)
To set the agenda and identify action areas, the ETWG will hold three working group meetings in Gandhinagar (April), Mumbai (May), and Goa (July).
