PM Modi at G-20 Summit: PM said the pandemic is an important turning point in history of humanity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the 15th edition of the G20 Summit, chaired by Saudi Arabia this year. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump were among the world leaders who joined PM Modi via video conferencing to discuss global impact of the coronavirus pandemic
"Had a very fruitful discussion with G20 leaders. Coordinated efforts by the largest economies of the world will surely lead to faster recovery from this pandemic. Thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the Virtual Summit," PM Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister "termed the COVID-19 pandemic as an important turning point in history of humanity and the biggest challenge the world is facing since the World War II," a statement by the foreign ministry said. He called for decisive action by G20, not limited to economic recovery, jobs and trade, but to focus on preserving Planet Earth noting that all of us are trustees of humanity's future, it added.
"We offered India's IT prowess to further develop digital facilities for efficient functioning of the G20... Transparency in our processes helps in inspiring our societies to fight crisis collectively and with confidence. Spirit of trusteeship towards planet Earth will inspire us for a healthy and holistic lifestyle," he added in his tweet.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, the host of the two-day summit, in his opening remarks, talked about "affordable and equitable access" to anti-COVID-19 tools, including vaccines in development.
"Although we are optimistic about the progress made in developing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics tools for Covid-19, we must work to create the conditions for affordable and equitable access to these tools for all people," he was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.
"We have a duty to rise to the challenge together during this summit and give a strong message of hope and reassurance to our people by adopting policies to mitigate this crisis," he added.
Talking about the global economy, severely damaged by the coronavirus pandemic, King Salman appealed to the world leaders to "reopen economies and borders to facilitate the mobility of trade and people."
"We must provide support to the developing countries in a coordinated manner to maintain the development already achieved over the past decades," he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said the focus of the summit would be on "an inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19".
"During the G20 summit, the leaders will discuss pandemic preparedness and the ways and means to restore jobs. The leaders will also share their vision for building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future," the ministry's spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, had said.
The Prime Minister called for a new Global Index for the Post-Corona World that comprises four key elements - creation of a vast Talent Pool; ensuring that Technology reaches all segments of the society; Transparency in systems of governance; and dealing with Mother Earth with a spirit of Trusteeship, the Foreign Ministry said.
With inputs from agencies