The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. India holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.
Engagement Groups, comprising non-government participants from each G20 member, provide recommendations to the G20 Leaders and contribute towards the policy-making process. Science20 is one of the nine G20 engagement groups.
Science20 Engagement Group, comprising the national science academies of the G20 countries, was initiated during Germany’s Presidency in 2017. It presents policymakers with consensus-based science-driven recommendations formulated through task forces comprising international experts.
Science is the driving force behind the economic expansion and human progress. Over the course of several decades, it has evolved into an umbrella for several international scientific, academic, and engineering exchanges. The objective is to leverage scientific, technological, and intellectual interactions between nations, regions, and societies in order to address common problems and form solid international alliances.
India has proposed “Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development” as the subject for Science 20 this year.
Far from being unrelated, disruptive change and its implications for a circular economy may be both inventive and consistent with sustainable growth in a constantly changing world. There is an urgent need to encourage innovative science and technology that has the potential to revolutionize lives and livelihoods in a world where 8 billion people are continually striving for a better life. With its distinctive contributions to such endeavours, India is ideally positioned to incorporate this perspective into contemporary discourse.
This year, India has proposed the following themes with three focal points:
1. A call for universal holistic health – with an emphasis on the prevention of disease.
2. Adoption of clean energy for a greener future.
3. Connecting Science to Society and Culture.
The science fraternity and people of Tripura will also have a chance to have some ideas about ‘Disruptive Science’ as deliberations on ‘Clean Energy for a greener future’ will be held in Agartala on April 3-4. National and foreign delegates of G20 countries have already arrived in the City on April 2.
Science 20 (S20) is particularly important under the G20 presidency because it provides an opportunity for the world’s leading economies to come together to address global challenges through science and innovation. The G20 is a forum for cooperation and coordination among the world’s largest economies, and Science 20 provides a platform for scientific advisors to the G20 to provide evidence-based advice on key issues facing society.
Here are some of the ways in which Science 20 is important under the G20 presidency:
Global challenges: The G20 is focused on addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy, health, and food security. Science 20 provides scientific advice and expertise to help address these challenges, ensuring that policies and actions are evidence-based and effective.
Innovation and economic growth: The G20 is committed to promoting innovation and economic growth. Science 20 helps identify areas where science and technology can drive innovation and economic growth and provides recommendations on policies and investments that can support these efforts.
International collaboration: Science 20 promotes international collaboration among scientists and researchers from around the world. This collaboration helps address global challenges more effectively by sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise.
Policy coherence: Science 20 ensures policy coherence across different G20 working groups and provides a scientific perspective on key issues. This helps ensure that policies are consistent, evidence-based, and effective.
Future-oriented: Science 20 focuses on the long-term future of society and the planet. This helps ensure that policies and actions are sustainable and address the needs of future generations.
In summary, Science 20 is particularly important under the G20 presidency because it provides scientific advice and expertise to help address global challenges, promotes innovation and economic growth, encourages international collaboration, ensures policy coherence, and focuses on the long-term future of society and the planet.
* Dr. Jayanta Choudhury is an Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Studies, Tripura University & Member, National Steering Committee, G20 University Comment Programme, RIS, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India. He may be contacted at jayantard@gmail.com.
