Contents

1. India in the UN
2. India’s G20 Presidency
3. Multilateral Institutions
4. Plurilateral Developments
5. Peace and Security
6. Miscellaneous

1. India in the UN

India highlights risks of violation of weapons exports agreements

The UNSC held an open debate on 10 April 2023 on the “Risks Stemming from Violations of Agreements Regulating the Exports of Weapons and Military Equipments”. Participating in the Debate, India’s PR to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj pointed out that the violation of arms exports agreements comes in tandem with the rise in volume and the quality of the small arms acquired by terrorist organizations, thus doubling the risks for the international community. She asserted that India has strong and effective national export controls governing the transfer of conventional weapons which conform to the highest international standards and remains committed to preventing the illegal transfer of conventional weapons. Also, when it comes to WMDs, India has established a strong legal and regulatory system in India to implement the provisions of Resolution 1540 and our other international obligations.Click here to read…

India raises hard questions on multilateralism

At the UNSC open debate on Effective Multilateralism on 24 April 2023, India’s PR raised the issue of the intransigence of the UN system that has remained unchanged despite the many changes in international relations; that does not permit a change in names of its permanent member; and that gives more powers to the P5. Citing the UN Secretary General’s High Level Report, India said the call for reform of the Security Council is resonating from the highest levels in the UN to many stakeholders in the countries of the South. This reform is what will make the institution relevant to the contemporary world, which in turn will ensure that the people all over the world will continue to repose faith in the institution.Click here to read…

Right to Development needs a push in post-pandemic years

At the 7th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development in the General Assembly on 3 April 2023, India’s Deputy PR R Ravindra argued that development is a public good, and the Right to Development can only be realized by strengthening international cooperation and mainstreaming the issue among various UN bodies and development agencies. The implementation of the Right to Development can play an important role in recovery from the pandemic, in realization of SDGs and building back better. He also highlighted that in its development partnerships, India’s approach has been consultative, outcome oriented, demand driven, people-centric, and respectful of the sovereignty of partner countries. The India UN Development Partnership Fund is particularly symbolic of our relationship with UNDP, because it is the first-ever single country South-South initiative. It currently extends to 70 development projects in 53 countries.Click here to read…

IGN process for reform of the Security Council debated

At the meeting of the fourth round of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform since the circulation of the 2022 Elements Paper on Convergences and Divergences on the reforms, India’s PR argued that the Framework Document of 2015 that summarizes the positions of various stakeholders be regarded as an important reference point. She suggested that the Elements Paper be evolved into a zero-draft for further discussion. Commenting on the ‘categories of membership’, she argued for increase in the permanent and non-permanent seats in the Security Council in line with the sentiments of nearly 90 per cent of countries who expressed their positions on the Framework Document. This demand therefore is democratic and must be respected.Click here to read…

Financing for Development sine qua non for attainment of SDGs

Speaking at the General Debate of the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development, India’s PR said that for the Global South, a supportive international economic environment and multilateral trading regime, financially viable, transparent, and sustainable investment flows aligned with national priorities, and a strengthened framework for transfer of technology, are fundamental. The South also needs to ensure stable trade flows to address the multiple global crises of food, energy and finance, as well as enhancing food security and nutrition. There is need to enhance the sustainability and resilience of supply chains that foster the sustainable integration of developing countries. She reiterated that climate finance and progress on the SDGs are two sides of the same coin. Timely and adequate resources for climate finance, including exploring innovative financing is important. There is a need to set a New Collective Quantified Goal from a floor of $100 billion per year, prioritizing the needs of developing countries. The COP27 decision on funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage, and the COP15 decision on the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund must be implemented expeditiously.Click here to read…

India launches Group of Friends of Science for Action

India along with Belgium and South Africa, announced the launch of the Group of Friends of Science for Action on 12 April 2023. Speaking on the occasion, India’s PR said that the aim of the group is to promote the application of science based actionable knowledge to the policies and programmes of member states towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The hope is that the unprecedented expansion of information and data in the recent times, coupled with application scientific knowledge will guide countries to fast track the collective goals. The Group of Friends will be supported by the International Science Council, which catalyzes and convenes scientific expertise globally and across all disciplines. Its membership comprises national academies, research councils and scientific organizations from over 140 countries. The Group of Friends will support a more targeted mobilization and engagement of the scientific community based on the needs and priorities identified by participating countries.Click here to read…

India elected to the UN Statistical Commission

India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission for a 4 year period beginning in 2024. India was elected through a secret ballot and got 46 out of 53 votes. The Commission is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level. The Commission consists of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution. Five members are from African States, four from Asia-Pacific States, four from Eastern European States, four from Latin American and Caribbean States and seven members from Western European and other States.Click here to read…

2. India’s G20 Presidency

L20 submit their concerns to G20 Labour Ministers

L20, which represents the interests of workers at the G20 level and unites trade unions from G20 countries and Global Unions submitted their statement regarding jobs and growth to the G20 Labour Ministers. The have urged that Labour Ministers advocate for fiscal and monetary policies that deliver a just transition and address the enormous investment gaps in public services, social protection and infrastructure.They have asked for ensuring that all workers, including platform workers, benefit from the ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and have access to social protection in line with ILO Convention C102 on Social Security and Recommendation 202 on Social Protection Floors. They have given a call for an expansion of the contributory base of social protection systems with formalisation strategies, elimination of tax evasion and avoidance, progressive taxation and a global social protection fund for the poorest countries.The L20 also urged ministers to discuss and coordinate policy and funding for a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy with quality job creation in renewable energy, ecosystem restoration and public green infrastructure and services.Click here to read…

B20 meeting in Nagaland

B20, the engagement group comprising of businessleaders of G20 countries, held its fourth meeting in Kohima, Nagaland from4-6 April. Delegates from 27 countries converged in Kohima to explore the opportunities in the state. Mr. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland; Mr. J Alam, Chief Secretary, Nagaland; and Mr. Mhathung Yanthan, Hon’ble Advisor of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland were among those that pitched for the state drawing attention especially to its untapped potential in agriculture and food processing. The state’s tourism potential also found a strong mention in the business conversations. It was also highlighted that Nagaland is much more than what people perceive it to be. It is the home of several start-ups and has the skilled workforce needed to push the global digital agenda. Importantly, it has the drive to fuel entrepreneurship. The various sessions at the conference explored the opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Agriculture, Food Processing, Tourism and Information Technology.Click here to read…

C20 meet in Manipur

C20, the engagement group of members of civil society of the G20 countries, met in Imphal, Manipur on 8 April 2023. Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the deliberation at the conference will go a long way in spreading the invaluable message of universal brotherhood and voicing the concerns of the world population through the civil society organisations. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Y Khemchand Singh, while delivering his speech, stated that economic development of the State is possible through development in the tourism sector.Resident spiritual mentor at Chinmaya Mission Chennai Swami Mitrananda, Chairman, Loktak Development Authority M Asnikumar Singh, Secretary, Chinmaya Mission Trust Manipur Lt Gen (Retd) L Nishikanta Singh, Vice Chancellors of Universities, Professors of various educational institutes, retired and serving army officers also attended the conference.Click here to read…

2nd Employment Working Group Meeting held

The 2ndEmployment Working Group (EWG) Meeting was held in Guwahati, Assam from at Guwahati, Assam. This meeting was a crucial step towards building consensus on the outcomes of the priority areas for EWG 2023 – First, addressing global skill gaps; second, gig and platform economy, and social protection; and third, sustainable financing of social security.74+ Delegates from over 19 G20 member countries, 7 guest countries and 5 International Organisations including International Labour Organisation(ILO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) and International Social Security Association (ISSA), World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) were present at the meetings. The three day meeting of G20 EWG comprised of Jan Bhagidari activities like cycle rallies, cleanliness drives, mock G20s at schools, tree plantations, seminars and lectures organised by the Assam state government to involve citizens from all walks of life, including students, youth, women, private sector, academia and civil society.Click here to read…

2nd Energy Transitions Working Group meeting held

The 2nd Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting (ETWG) was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 2-3 April 2023. The two-day meeting witnessed participation of over 100 delegates from G20 member countries, 10 special invitee countries and 14 International Organisations. The proposed formation of Global Biofuels Alliance received wide-ranging support from member countries. The other key point of discussion was low-cost financing for energy transition, where member countries discussed about important role of international financial structure including raising the ambitions of multilateral financial institutions and the importance of coordinating actions with Sustainable Finance Working Group, initiated under India’s G20 Presidency.Member countries also reaffirmed their commitment to energy transition through addressing technology gaps, and there was broad consensus amongst members to align with other global organisations such as Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), Mission Innovation (MI) and RD20 to achieve tangible outcomes. Protecting intellectual property rights in the context of technology transfer was also emphasized. It was also agreed to continue with a focus on deployment of clean mature technologies such as Solar PV and Offshore Wind.On the sidelines, the Meeting was complemented by three side events – ‘Green Hydrogen – Advancing Net Zero Pathways,’ ‘Diversified Renewable Energy Supply Chains for Advancing Energy Transitions’ and ‘Accelerating Cooling as a key enabler towards energy transition’. The discussions focused on policy, regulatory, and financial frameworks and to promote cooperation amongst G20 nations.The event also featured an exhibition where India’s first H2 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) truck was displayed.Click here to read…

2nd Meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) held

The second meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) under the Indian G20 Presidency was held on 12-13 April 2023, in Washington D.C. on the margins of the 2023 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das jointly chaired the meeting. The meeting saw participation of around 350 delegates from G20 members, 13 invitee countries, and various international and regional organizations. The goal of this FMCBG meeting was to deliberate on the progress made by the various workstreams of the G20 Finance Track on the deliverables that were tasked to them by the Ministers and Governors in the February G20 FMCBG Chair’s Summary and Outcome Document and to seek guidance on the way forward. During the session on Global Economy and International Financial Architecture Ministers and Governors also discussed the progress of the implementation of recommendations of the Independent Panel of MDBs’ Capital Adequacy Frameworks (CAF). They also shared their expectations from the recently constituted G20 Expert Group on “Strengthening Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)”. On the debt agenda, discussions focused on strengthening- multilateral coordination towards addressing the increasing debt distress in low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries. During the second session on Sustainable Finance, Financial Sector, and Financial Inclusion, discussions focused on the mobilisation of resources for climate change, the role of the multilateral financial institutions in catalysing private finance flows for Sustainable Development Goals and the role of the G20 in scaling up and encouraging wider adoption of social impact investment instruments. Members also deliberated on the macroeconomic and financial challenges posed by the crypto-assets ecosystem and exchanged views on potential global policy responses to crypto-assets, taking into account the risks, especially to Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs).

On financial inclusion, discussions focused onleveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for financial inclusion and productivity gains. Ministers and Governors also shared perspectives on the development of the 2023 Financial Inclusion Action Plan (FIAP).The third session on International Taxation discussed the need for coordinated efforts toward effective implementation and wider adoption of the two-pillar international tax package. Ministers shared suggestions on how best G20 can complement global efforts to enhance tax transparency.Click here to read…

Second meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) held

The second DEWG meeting was held in Hyderabad, Telangana from 17-19 April 2023.The sessions included topics such as ‘High Speed Mobile Broadband and its impacts’, ‘Digital Inclusion - Connecting the Unconnected’ and ‘Sustainable Green Digital Infrastructure: Challenges and Opportunities’. Delegates also visited IIT-Hyderabad and experienced India’s path-breaking projects and cutting-edge research in the field of digital & telecom technologies such as 5G Products, 5G base stations, 6G system prototypes, Autonomous Navigation testbed, and AI-powered RNA- electronic test kit.A multi-stakeholder workshop on “Mutual Recognition Framework on Digital Skills” was also organised. The best practices and latest initiative on the subject matter were presented by the respective experts from the Government, Industry and Academia. In-depth discussion on the priority area titled ‘Digital Skilling’ was held. The participating delegates discussed the critical role of Digital Skilling on shaping Digital Transformation and on creating the Future Ready Workforce. The inclusive development was re- emphasized during the discussion.Detailed discussions on the priority areas namely ‘Digital Public Infrastructure’ and ‘Cyber Security in Digital Economy’ were also held.Click here to read…

3. Multilateral Institutions

WTO Council for Trade in Goods adopts reforms

At a meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) on 3-4 April, 2023, members concluded their discussions held over the preceding months on implementing recommendations of the 12th Ministerial Conference held in June 2022. Members agreed to improve the functioning of the CTG by integration of CTG data into the Trade Concerns Database and the introduction of the eAgenda into the work of the CTG, starting from the next meeting in July. The eAgenda allows members to electronically add agenda items, raise and support specific trade concerns (STCs), and upload statements ahead of Council and Committee meetings. The Council also heard the concerns of 20 members on a variety of issues related to non-tariff barriers on agricultural products, quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, tariffs and tariff rate quotas (TRQs), technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, import/export bans and restrictions, subsidies, domestic certification and administrative procedures.Click here to read…

EU wins WTO case against India

A case against India’s imposition of tariffs of nearly 20 per cent on mobile phones, mobile phone components and accessories, line telephone handsets, base stations, static converters or electric wires and cables was filed with the WTO in 2019. On 17 April 2023, a WTO panel ruled that India was in violation of its commitments under the WTO. The amount of EU exports of such technology affected by India's violations is up to €600 million annually. However, the real impact on European companies, which also export from other countries to India, is considerably higher. The panel confirmed that India's tariffs could not be justified by any of the reasons India brought forward in this case. India could not invoke the Information and Technology Agreement (ITA) to escape the commitments made in its WTO schedule, nor limit its zero-duty commitment to products that existed at the time of this commitment and exclude more recent technological products falling under the same tariff line.Click here to read…

WBG-IMF Group hold Spring Meetings

The World Bank and IMF held their annual Spring Meetings from 10-16 April 2023 in Washington D.C. At this year’s World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, management and shareholders recommitted to the institution’s vision of a poverty-free world and pledged to explore new solutions to tackle an ever-present set of threats to development and the lives of the poor—from stress in the banking sector and persistent inflation to rising debt, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the mounting dangers of climate change. Member countries endorsed measures that can add up to $50 billion in IBRD lending capacity over the next 10 years. Those steps include a revision of the Bank’s minimum equity-to-loan ratio to 19%, a hybrid capital pilot, and a scaled-up bilateral guarantee program.Click here to read…

ECOSOC meets to discuss Financing for Development

The 2023 ECOSOC Financing for Development (FfD) Forum was held from 17-20 April 2023 in the Trusteeship Council, at UN Headquarters, New York. The 2023 FfD Forum provided a platform for inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue to address the current global challenges and advance policies for financing long-term sustainable development priorities, in line with its mandate laid out in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The Outcome document of the Forum considered the following issues as a means of furthering the Sustainable Development Goals: augmenting domestic public resources, developing domestic and international private business and finance, scaling up of international development cooperation, making trade an engine of sustainable development, addressing the challenges of debt sustainability and providing an impetus to science, technology innovation and capacity building.Click here to read…

4. Plurilateral Developments

BRICS overtake G7 in GDP (PPP)

According to data published by the UK-based economic research firm Acorn Macro Consulting BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa — have surpassed the Group of Seven (G7)- U.S., Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan- in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). The BRICS group makes up 41% of the global population and account for 16% of the world’s trade.According to the British consultancy, the five BRICS nations now contribute nearly 31.5% of the global GDP, compared to 30.7% by G7 countries. This gap is expected to be broadened by 2030.Click here to read…

SCO RATS Council holds 39th Session

The Council of the Regional Antiterrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held its regular 39th session in Tashkent under the chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Deputy Chairman of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan Nurgali Bilisbekov noted that the threats of terrorism, separatism, and extremism have new hybrid manifestations which have to be tackled. The participants were informed about the implementation of the SCO’s 2022-2024 Program of Cooperation in Countering Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism in 2022. The activity of the SCO RATS in the reporting period was positively assessed.A decision was taken to hold a joint information campaign on the prevention of using the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes. The meeting participants approved also the draft memorandum of cooperation between the SCO RATS and the Anti-Terrorist Center of the CIS member states.Click here to read…

Young authors meet under SCO aegis

India’s Ministry of Education organised a two-day Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO) Young Authors’ Conference on" Civilizational Dialogue Among SCO Member States” in New Delhi on 12-13 April 2023. The first session on History and Philosophy focusing on ‘Shared Civilizational Links and its impact on Modern Ethical Behaviour’. The second session was on the sub-theme Economy, focusing on ‘Trade and Commerce Linkages’. The third session dealt with the topic of Religion with emphasis on ‘Movement of Religious Ideas and Thoughts in the SCO Regions’.Session four revolved around Culture, with an emphasis on 'Civilizational Roots of Contemporary Cultures'. The fifth session of the Conference took place on the sub-theme of Literature with focus on 'Translation and Interpretation of Literary Texts'.The last session was on the theme Science & Medicine, with special focus on ‘Perspectives on Science and Medicinal Knowledge Systems of SCO Member States’.Click here to read…

SCO Defence Ministers meet

Defence Ministers of the SCO countries met on 28 April 2023. Speaking at the meeting, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh said that to make the SCO a stronger and more credible international organization its top-most priority should be to effectively deal with terrorism. Sharing his insights on the vision to ensure collective prosperity, the Defence Minister called for concerted efforts by the SCO member states, so that the region, with limitless possibilities in today’s multilateral world, shifts to the mindset of ‘great gain from win-win paradigm’. He voiced India’s commitment towards defence capacity building of SCO member states through training and co-manufacturing & co-development of items. He stated that as security challenges are not limited to any one country, India is moving forward with a collaborative approach in the field of defence partnership, keeping in mind the shared interests. At the end of the deliberations, all the SCO member countries signed a protocol, expressing their collective will to make the region secure, peaceful and prosperous.Click here to read…

5. Peace and Security

ICAO addresses Counter Terrorism concerns

At a closed briefing to the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 20 April 2023, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar underscored the important progress being achieved to address terrorist threats to international civil aviation. With regard to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2309 (2016), the ICAO Secretary General confirmed that much has been accomplished. This includes two amendments to Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention to help improve the global detection of explosives in airport screening operations, better address insider threats, and to encourage and promote a robust global aviation security culture, among other objectives. Mr. Salazar underlined recent ICAO contributions to address these priorities via the establishment of its specialized Cyber-Security and aviation Trust Framework panels, as well as its comprehensive Year of Security Culture initiatives. Referencing the results being achieved through the Global Counter Terrorism Coordination Compact led by the UNOCT, Mr. Salazar drew attention to the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme, and newly implemented Threat Assessment Models programme. Click here to read…

6. Miscellaneous

UNHRC condemns unilateral sanctions

On 3 April 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution condemning the “negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.” The text titled A/HRC/52/L.18 was presented by Azerbaijan on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. Emphasizing that unilateral coercive measures, legislation, and secondary sanctions were a violation of international law, norms and principles as well as the UN Charter, the text expressed “grave concern” over the negative impact of sanctions on human rights, including the right to development, which is recognized as a “universal and inalienable right” integral to all human rights. It called upon all states to “stop adopting, maintaining, implementing, or complying with unilateral coercive measures….in particular those of a coercive nature with extraterritorial effects.” The draft resolution was approved with 33 votes in favor, 13 against, and one abstention. Among the countries that rejected the text were,the United States and several of its NATO allies including the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Finland, and Germany, alongside Ukraine.Click here to read…

WHO discusses IHR amendments

In the process of revision of WHO International Health Regulations (IHR), 196 state parties to the WHO met for the third round of discussions in the third week of April to examine in detail more than a third of over 300 proposed amendments to the WHO IHRs. The amendments relate to public health response, core capacities for surveillance and response, collaboration and assistance, as well as the six newly proposed articles and one new Annex. It is expected that the WGIHR will meet again three times in 2023 – in July, October and December – to discuss and agree on amendments and present a package of proposed amendments to the World Health Assembly in May 2024. The IHR are an instrument of international law that is legally-binding State Parties. In parallel with the IHR amendments process, governments are also negotiating the drafting of a WHO instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, also referred to as a pandemic accord.Click here to read…

mRNA technology transfer hub inaugurated in Cape Town

WHO Director General inaugurated the first mRNA technology transfer hub during an international conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Over 200 international participants working with the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, launched in 2021, had their first face-to-face meeting on 20 April 2023, in a bid to make one of the most revolutionary medical technologies which led the field in vaccine development against COVID-19, more widely and fairly available, in the places where it is most needed. The UN-led effort aims to contribute to equitable access to mRNA vaccines by increasing the distribution of sustainable manufacturing capacity across low and middle income countries, enhancing regional and inter-regional collaboration, and developing and empowering a local workforce through tailored and inclusive training and expert support.Click here to read…