1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs CEO Conclave at PLASTINDIA 2023
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Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the CEO Conclave at PlastIndia 2023 in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The conference was attended by more than 90 CEOs from the plastics industry both from India and abroad.
Exhibitors from more than 45 countries of the world as well as more than 2,00,000 trade visitors from around the world participated in it.
This conclave is a step where all the stakeholders are encouraged to understand the nature of India and invest in India's growth story.
The conclave will create opportunities to showcase India's capabilities and help facilitate the growth of the Indian plastics industry.
About PLASTINDIA 2023
It refers to a series of exhibitions under the PlastIndia Foundation, the 11th International Plastics Exhibition and Conclave being organized from February 1 to 5, 2023 at ITPO Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
The exhibition will provide employment generation opportunities, facilitate the growth of the Indian plastics industry and make India a hub for sourcing plastics for global needs.
It will promote India as a global source of processed plastics, raw materials, machinery and products for use in all aspects of human existence.
8. First G20 Employment Working Group meeting commence at Jodhpur in Rajasthan
Tags: Summits National News
On 2 February the first G20 Employment Working Group meeting began in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
An overview of the news
The meeting will be held from February 2 to 4 where guest nations including Spain, the Netherlands and Singapore will take part.
The Employment Working Group under the Indian Chairmanship of the G20 has a mandate to address priority labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and sustainable employment for all.
The significance of this meeting lies in the fact that the G20 countries represent 85% of world GDP, 3/4 of global trade and almost two-thirds of the world population.
International organisations like ILO, OECD and ISA, Indian institutions like NITI Aayog and MSDE (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), and EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) will also share their views on various topics.
G20 member states have also been invited to share their interventions on key areas.
India is hosting over 73 delegates from 19 countries, the European Union and 9 guest countries and 9 regional and international organisations.
Thematic areas of the deliberations
Addressing global skill gaps
Gig and platform economy and social protection
Sustainable financing of social security
A panel discussion has also been organised to discuss the Framework for Global Skills and Competency Harmonisation, Common Skills Classification.
9. Quad cyber group meeting to strengthen cyber security cooperation
Tags: Summits National News
A meeting of the Quad Senior Cyber Group was held in New Delhi to strengthen cyber security cooperation on 30-31 January.
An overview of the news
The heads of the Quad Senior Cyber Group, along with their inter-agency delegations, met in New Delhi to discuss cyber security cooperation and a collective approach to enhancing resilience.
During the meeting, participants discussed sharing threat information, identifying and assessing potential risks in supply chains for digitally enabled products and services, and aligning baseline software security requirements.
The group also discussed cyber security capacity building for Quad members and for partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting discussed how Quad members can prevent cyber incidents and respond to such cyber incidents along with building national and international capabilities for security.
QUAD or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a group of four countries US, Japan, Australia and India.
The concept of QUAD was given by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 for maritime cooperation between these countries after the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster in 2004.
Now the group is mainly seen as a group to counter the Chinese influence in the region.
The 2022 Quad summit meeting was held in Japan and next will be held in Australia in 2023.
10. India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant inaugurates India’s first Model G-20 Summit
Tags: Summits National News
India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on 30 January inaugurated India’s first Model G-20 Summit organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini’s Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership.
An overview of the news
The two-day model G-20 summit has been organised at the Uttan campus of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini near Mumbai to celebrate India's chairmanship and to take the idea of G-20 to the youth.
Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Vice Chairman of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini chaired the inaugural ceremony.
Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership (IIDL) organises Model International Leaders Meet (MILM) every year to orient students towards international relations.
During this two-day conference, students will get into the role of G-20 member countries and discuss various political and social issues in four committees or tracks, namely Leader Track, Sherpa Track, Civil-20 and Business-20.
Discussions ranging from global peace to democratisation of the world economic system will be included in the agenda.
A total of 150 youth from across the country will participate in the program and will play the role of delegates representing G-20 countries.
The best two delegates will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000.
