G20 can help find global solutions: Anurag Thakur

The G20 can contribute significantly to find "pragmatic" solutions to global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical tensions, union minister Anurag Singh Thakur said Wednesday.

"The G20 can make a significant contribution to find pragmatic global solutions to these challenges through focused dialogue and deliberations and the Indian presidency (of G20) seeks to actively facilitate this," Thakur, who is the union minister for information and broadcasting, and youth affairs & sports, said at the inaugural session of the G20 Second Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) meeting in Bengaluru.

The global economy is facing the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, food and energy insecurity, broad-based inflation, heightened debt vulnerabilities, worsening climate change, and geopolitical tensions, he said.


The impact of all these crises can set back progress on the world's key development priorities, Thakur said.

The theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' reflected the importance India places on collaborative efforts to address global challenges, the minister said.

Towards fulfilling this goal, the G20 Finance Track discussions in 2023 will include strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs) to meet the shared global challenges of the 21st century, financing 'cities of tomorrow', leveraging digital public infrastructure for financial inclusion and productivity gains and advancing the international taxation agenda, among others, Thakur explained.

According to the minister, various work streams in G20 have already initiated work on these key issues. The deputies meeting is dedicated to the finalisation of the communique that will be endorsed by the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors during their meeting on February 24 and 25.