Multilateralism Digest: July 2023 - Issue 7

Contents

I. India and the UN

1. India votes for resolution on countering religious hatred
2. Meeting on Decarbonising the Built Environment

II. India’s G20 Presidency

1. Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting held
2. 3rd FMCBG Meeting held
3. G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meetingheld
4. Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meet held
5. Startup20 Summit held
6. S20 Summit initiates new forums

III. Multilateral Institutions

1. MDBs adopt principles to support Paris Agreement alignment

IV. Plurilateral Developments

1. India hosts SCO Summit
2. India joins Global Crisis Response group
3. FM attends 56th ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meeting
4. India ASEAN meet on traditional medicine
5. BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Meet

V. Peace and Security

1. APG gets new members
2. UN Security Council holds first debate on Artificial Intelligence

VI. Miscellaneous

1. ITU holds AI for Good Summit
2. UN hosts Food Systems Summit +2
3. Report maps resilience for SDGs

I. India and the UN

India Votes for Resolution on Countering Religious Hatred

The Human Rights Council adopted the resolution entitled “Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence” on 12 July 2023. The resolution was tabled by Pakistan mainly in response to acts of desecration of the Quran in Sweden passed with a vote of 28 in favour including India, 12 against and 7 abstentions. The resolution underscored the need for holding those responsible to account in a manner consistent with obligations of States arising from international human rights law.Click here to read… [2]

Meeting on Decarbonising the Built Environment

Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative (PR) of India to the UN, participated in the first High Level High level Meeting on Decarbonising the Built Environment on 25 July 2023. Speaking at the meeting, the PR highlighted that India had submitted its Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT LEDS) towards net-zero by 2070 to the UNFCCC in November 2022. The document mentions of seven strategic low-emissions development transitions in the country. She spelt out India’s plans for establishing solar parks, using renewables and developing green hydrogen.Click here to read… [3]

II. India’s G20 Presidency

Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting held

The Research Ministers of the G20 members and invitee countries met on 5 July 2023. During the meeting, the important role which science, technology and research play in supporting a more circular and sustainable bio-economy as also the need for innovation across all industrial supply chains, from raw materials to finished products, while meeting food security needs, were recognized. Based on the engagements and discussions on the priority areas – Materials for Sustainable Energy; Circular Bio-Economy; Eco-Innovations for Energy Transition; and Sustainable Blue Economy, which took place through a series of meetings under the broad theme of ‘Research and Innovation for an Equitable Society’, an “Outcome Document and Chair’s Summary” was issued after the meeting.Click here to read… [4]

3rd FMCBG Meeting held

The Third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the Indian Presidency was held from 17-18 July 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Members endorsed the ‘G20Report on Macroeconomic Risks Stemming from Climate Changeand Transition Pathways’. Members appreciated the efforts of the G20Independent Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs constituted by the Indian Presidency earlier this year. The Expert Group has prepared Volume 1 of the Report.Click here to read… [5]

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting held

The two day G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting 2023 concluded in Indore, Madhya Pradesh,from 20-21 July. successfully with unanimous adoption of three G20 Outcome Documents which are G20 Policy Priorities on Strategies to Address Skill Gaps Globally, G20 Policy Priorities on Adequate and Sustainable Social Protection and Decent Work for Gig and Platform Workers and G20 Policy Options for Sustainable Financing of Social Protection. These documents will be submitted to the Leaders for their consideration to be annexed to the G20 New Delhi Leader’s Declaration 2023. The Ministers also adopted the Outcome Document and the Chair’s Summary.Click here to read… [6]

Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meet held

The 4th and last Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting concluded in Chennai on 28 July 2023, with consensual adoption of an Outcome document, the Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-based Economy. The Ministers also adopted the Outcome Document and the Chair’s Summary. India's G20 Presidency released 1 outcome document and 2 Presidency Documents under the theme of Blue Economy, 4 Presidency Documents and Compendiums of Best Practices under the theme Land and Biodiversity, and Water resources management, 4 Presidency Documents under the theme Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. G20 countries reiterated their leadership role in tackling climate change and ambitious action across all pillars of Paris Agreement. Topics like ecological restoration, marine spatial planning, and circular economy were addressed in detail for the first time in the G20 discussions.Click here to read… [7]

Startup20 Summit held

The Startup20 engagement group set up for the first time under the Indian Presidency concluded with it Summit from 3-4July 2023. Shri Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, emphasised the significance of the Startup20, saying, "The Startup20 Engagement Group marks a milestone in the journey of the global startup ecosystem. The collective wisdom and tireless efforts of the Group…have culminated in the final Policy Communiqué, which lays the groundwork for a transformative and the advanced future for our citizens with all our inclusive startup ecosystems across the countries working together.”Click here to read… [8]

S20 Summit Initiates New Forums

The Science20 Summit was held on 22nd July 2023 at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The meeting decided to establish a Mission Energy Access, initiate a Global Digital Heritage Initiative, and establish an International Platform on Emerging Disruptive Technologies. The S20 Summit meeting featured sessions, dedicated to finalizing text of the Science20 Communique.Click here to read… [9]

III. Multilateral Institutions

MDBs adopt principles to support Paris Agreement alignment

Following the signing of the Paris Agreement by its parties in 2015, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) committed to aligning their financial flows with the objectives of the Paris Agreement in order to help accelerate the successful transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future by supporting appropriate long-term development pathways in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. They have adopted some principles to guide their actions going forward. The principles are based on based on six building blocks: alignment with mitigation goals; adaptation and climate-resilient operations; accelerated contribution to the transition through climate finance; engagement and policy development support; reporting; and alignment of internal activities.Click here to read… [10]

IV. Plurilateral Developments

India hosts SCO Summit

The 23rd SCO Summit hosted by the Indian presidency was held in a virtual format on 4July 2023. The Summit brought the curtain down on India’s year-long presidency of the SCO. India established India has established five new pillars of cooperation within the SCO: Startups and Innovation, Traditional Medicine, Youth Empowerment, Digital Inclusion, and Shared Buddhist Heritage.Click here to read… [11]

India joins Global Crisis Response Group

India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG), accepting an invitation from United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) was set up by the UNSG in March 2022 to address urgent and critical global issues pertaining to interlinked crises in food security, energy, and finance and to coordinate a global response. The GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group comprising of Heads of States/ Heads of Governments ofBangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.Click here to read… [12]

FM attends 56th ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia from 12-13 July 2023. He held productive discussions with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations and reviewed the progress in cooperation in areas like fintech, food security and maritime domains.Click here to read… [13]

India ASEAN Meet on Traditional Medicine

The Ministry of Ayush, in association with Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Mission to ASEAN organised a conference of India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on traditional medicines at New Delhi on 20 July 2023. The Conference, held again after almost a decade, promised to consolidate sustainable and resilient healthcare systems to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage.Click here to read… [14]

BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Meet

On 17 July 2023, Thailand hosted the inaugural BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bangkok. There was a broad agreement on the importance of creating crisis response mechanisms to coordinate for different contingencies. Food, public health, energy, financial security, as well as trade and economic cooperation were at the core of the discussions as well. Furthermore, the meeting also considered establishing digital payment systems and trade settlements, as well as strengthening cooperation in cyber security and prevention of transnational crimes. The Ministers welcomed the progress on the setting up of an Eminent Persons Group to chart out the road map for the organization to ensure greatest benefits to member countries and their peoples.Click here to read… [15]

V. Peace and Security

APG gets New Members

The Asia Pacific Group’s 2023 annual meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, admitted a new member namely, Tuvalu. The APG now has 42 member jurisdictions making it the largest FATF style Regional Body in the global network. Alongside, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates were admitted as APG observers. APG now has 9 observer jurisdictions. UAE became the first Arab country to be included in the APG.Click here to read… [16]

UN Security Council holds first debate on Artificial Intelligence

The Security Council under the presidency of United Kingdom, held its first debate on the ramifications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for international security on 18 July 2023. On this occasion, the Secretary General of the UN observed that despite its potential to turbocharge global development and realize human rights, AI can amplify bias, reinforce discrimination and enable new levels of authoritarian surveillance.Click here to read… [17]

VI. Miscellaneous

ITU holds AI for Good Summit

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN specialized agency for information and communication technology, held the 7thAI for Good Global Summit from 6-7 July 2023. The summit was held in partnership with 40 UN sister agencies and co-convened with the government of Switzerland. The focus of the summit was how AI could be used to achieve the sustainable development goals in terms of combatting the climate crisis and bolstering humanitarian response.Click here to read… [18]

UN hosts Food Systems Summit +2

The UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment took place in Rome, Italy from 24 – 26 July 2023, at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It was hosted by Italy, in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies (FAO, IFAD, and WFP), the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the wider UN system. The summit provided a platform for countries to share their food systems journeys through more than 100 voluntary reports, offering vivid accounts of achievements and pointing to the challenges. The global community highlighted the importance of accelerating progress, in particular on access to financing, emphasizing the urgent need for debt relief and increased liquidity for developing countries facing crises.Click here to read… [19]

Report maps Resilience for SDGs

UNCTAD released its Global Assessment Report (GAR): Special Report for 2023 which brings out key resilience deficits that are holding back sustainable development. It points out that addressing resilience gaps will require the unprecedented scaling-up from with both resilience investment and adaptation action both from within the public and private sectors, particularly for the most vulnerable countries. At the same time, the report’s action case examples show that this is not inevitable, and how action is possible on every continent to stop the worsening spiral of risk and disasters and to accelerate SDG target achievement.Click here to read… [20]