Dr Mandaviya Highlights Key Health Initiatives at 2nd G20 Health Working Group Meeting

"As the G20 Health Working Group, we are on the right track towards jointly creating a positive impact for future Global Health Architecture," said the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, thanking all delegates from G20 member states, invited countries, and international organizations for aligning their priorities with India's proposed health priorities.

Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, also spoke at the event. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the impact of the pandemic on global healthcare systems, saying, "it is essential for us to collectively break the cycle of panic and neglect and not let the phenomenon of pandemic fatigue diminish our ongoing efforts on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response."

"India's G20 Presidency plans to continue the momentum brought by the Italian and Indonesian Presidency and consolidate the efforts made thus far towards health emergency preparedness, prevention, and response," he added.

Furthermore, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the need of converging and unifying efforts on the Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Agenda, as well as the need for a formal worldwide coordination body for medical countermeasures. He also mentioned that India has proposed a digital health and innovation agenda.

Singh stated that developing digital technology should be used to make farming easier in the G20 countries and around the world. He noted that the UN General Assembly has recognized 2023 as the International Year of the Millets, based on India's proposal, which will assist showcase the benefits of millets to the world. He stated that India had turned it into a people's movement and urged all G20 countries to support it. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), as well as MACS Chair, attended the event. Later, he presided over the Meeting's proceedings.

Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR), welcomed the meeting's delegates and dignitaries. He stated that in preparation for the International Year of Millets 2023, India has proposed to MACS a G20 effort on millets and other ancient grains international research initiative (MAHARISHI). The tree-day meeting is attended by approximately 80 representatives from G20 member countries, including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, as well as representatives from several international organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, and others, are also invited to the event. In addition, the International Solar Alliance, CDR, and Asian Development Bank have been invited as special guests from India.