Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru to be G20 Science working group’s secretariat

Tags: Science and Technology National News

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, will function as the secretariat for Science 20 (S20), a working group set up as part of the G20 which will be presided over by India in 2023.

Important facts

• The theme of the S20 in 2023 is ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development’.

• This broad issue will be discussed throughout the year in different regions of India.

• Three issues will be discussed at the discussions in Agartala, Lakshadweep, and Bhopal: universal holistic health, clean energy for a greener future, and bridging science and society. 

• Apart from the discussions, there will be an inaugural conference in Puducherry and a summit in Coimbatore.

About Science 20 (S20)

• Established in 2017, the Science 20 (S20) is one of the newest groupings of the G20.

• In line with the G20, it has a non-permanent rotating secretariat and operates more like a forum rather than an organisation.

• The main objective of the S20 group is to present consensus-based recommendations for selected topics of interest to policy makers.

• These science-driven recommendations are developed through task forces consisting of international experts.

• A Sherpa is appointed to support and guide the task forces.

• Each task force focuses on a broad topic that is relevant to scientists, policy makers, and society alike.

• The S20 summit is held annually, usually before the respective G20 summit.