The G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting was recently held in Saudi Arabia, with discussions focusing mainly on cross-border movements during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As the current president of the G-20, this is Saudi Arabia’s first time serving such a role, making it the first Arab nation to do so.
The Meeting
Acknowledging the importance of opening borders, the foreign ministers stressed the need for fostering steps to allow the economy to flourish in line with the protective measures established during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health safety protocols initially introduced to mitigate the spread of the virus, such as closing borders, have now become significant roadblocks to international trade and business operations. This has resulted in a crisis that impacts both life and livelihoods for many.
India enlightened the G-20 foreign ministers about its initiatives, including the Vande Bharat Mission and the establishment of travel bubbles. These steps were taken to safeguard and assist foreign citizens stranded in India, as well as Indian citizens abroad.
Recent Initiatives Taken by G-20
In the 3rd G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting held in July 2020, the G-20 introduced the G20 Action Plan. This plan consists of collective commitments under the pillars of Health Response, Economic Response, Strong and Sustainable Recovery, and International Financial Coordination. Moreover, the G-20 organized a virtual conference among Digital Economy Ministers to showcase the digital initiatives undertaken by countries in response to Covid-19.
India’s Proposal
India proposed the development of voluntary ‘G-20 Principles on Coordinated Cross-Border Movement of People’, incorporating three elements:
1. Standardization of testing procedures and universal acceptability of test results.
2. Standardization of quarantine procedures.
3. Standardization of ‘movement and transit’ protocols.
India’s proposal underlines the necessity for governments worldwide to safeguard foreign students’ interests and facilitate homebound travel for stranded seafarers. Due to the pandemic, educational institutions across the globe have been closed for months. With borders now shut, foreign students who had returned to their home countries are finding it increasingly challenging to return to their respective institutions.
About G-20
The G20 is an informal assembly of 19 countries and the European Union. Representatives from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also participate. The G-20 membership includes a mix of the world’s most substantial advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the global population, 85% of the global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment, and over 75% of global trade. The G-20 members are 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. The G20 does not maintain any permanent secretariat or headquarters.
