Recently, Italy presided over the G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting. The primary talking points of the discussion were centred on mitigating the impacts of Covid-19, accelerating the recovery of the global economy, and fostering sustainable development in Africa. The G-20 summit is currently slated for October 2021 in Italy. India is set to assume the presidency of the G-20 in 2023.
Understanding the G-20
The G20 is a casual assembly of 19 countries and the European Union, with delegates from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The membership represents a blend of the largest advanced and emerging economies, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the global populace, 85% of gross domestic product worldwide, 80% of global investments, and well over 75% of total global trade.
G-20 Members
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union comprise the G20. It lacks a permanent secretariat or headquarters.
Pertinent Excerpts from the G-20 Meeting
At the G-20 meeting, several significant points surfaced. The members criticised China and Russia for engaging in vaccine diplomacy, which involves using the development or supply of vaccines to fortify international relations. There was a strong emphasis on promoting a science-based holistic One Health approach, targeting better public health outcomes through multi-sectoral collaboration.
The Effect of Climate Change and Concerns About Africa
The subject of increased climate variability and extreme weather events impacting agriculture was discussed, being recognised as driving forces in the global hunger crisis. With regard to Africa, it was noted that the combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflict, drought, economic hardships, and extreme weather have set back years of progress. Currently, 250 million people or nearly 20% of the continent’s population, are experiencing hunger.
India’s Position at the G-20 Meeting
India raised the contentious issue of “vaccine equity”. This subject is particularly pertinent given the European Union’s opposition to India’s proposal for large-scale vaccine production by waiving specific intellectual property rights. In addition, India called for a shift towards decentralised globalisation, emphasising the need for resilient supply chains in manufacturing, food, and health sectors.
Vaccine Equity and the Global Initiative for Equitable Access
Vaccine equity denotes both the affordability and accessibility of vaccines for populations worldwide, regardless of geography and geopolitics. The inequitable distribution of vaccines continues to leave millions vulnerable to the virus and gives rise to deadly variants that can spread globally. As such, initiatives like COVAX and India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ are critical in ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
