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India Leads P20 Summit: Showcasing Parliamentary Leadership on Global Stage
Why in News Now?
- India is hosting the 9th edition of the P20 Summit in October 2023 under its G20 presidency.
India hosted the 9th edition of the P20 (Parliamentary-20) Summit in New Delhi on October 13th, 2023. This event is being organized under India’s current G20 presidency and marks an important milestone in India’s emerging leadership role in major global forums.
Introduction
- Definition of P20: Annual summit of Parliamentary speakers from G20 nations and invited countries
- Established in 2010 under Canada’s G20 presidency to add parliamentary perspective to G20 agenda
The P20 Summit is an annual gathering of parliamentary speakers from the G20 member nations as well as invited guest countries. It was established in 2010 during Canada’s presidency of the G20, with the aim of providing a parliamentary perspective and adding a key democratic dimension to the G20 agenda.
The P20 consists of presiding officers from the national parliaments of countries part of the G20, and provides a platform for these lawmakers and legislative bodies to engage with each other on pressing global issues that are also being discussed at the annual G20 Summit. The P20 allows the elected representatives to share best practices, exchange ideas, build consensus and help shape the G20 agenda and outcomes.
Over the years, the P20 Summit has gradually grown in stature and participation, cementing its place as an important event parallel to the annual G20 Summit and reinforcing parliamentary leadership in tackling global challenges.
P20 Summit Overview
Sections | Details |
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What is P20 Summit? |
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Significance |
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Focus Areas |
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India’s Leadership |
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Takeaway | P20 as key global parliamentary platform. India highlighting its democracy and legislative role. Opportunity to promote parliamentary cooperation and multilateralism. |
P20 Summit unanimously adopts Joint Statement
At the conclusion of the 9th P20 Summit hosted by India, the parliamentary speakers unanimously adopted a Joint Statement affirming their commitment to continue joint work in making meaningful contributions to the G20 process.
The Joint Statement welcomed the constructive dialogue held during the G20 Leaders’ Summit under India’s presidency. It highlighted key focus areas like sustainable development, digital economy, economic recovery, food and energy security, climate change, multilateralism, and global health.
The statement reiterated parliaments’ role in promoting international peace, prosperity and harmony through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue. It called for supporting the peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes globally.
The P20 speakers congratulated India on the inauguration of the new Parliament building showcasing ancient traditions of public participation in governance. They also lauded the passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ ensuring one-third reservation for women in parliament and state legislatures.
The unanimous adoption of the Joint Statement at the Delhi P20 Summit reflects the emergence of parliamentary forums like P20 as conduits for fostering global cooperation on issues of common concern. It underscores India’s ability to achieve consensus on pressing challenges.
Evolution and Significance of P20
- Provides platform for parliamentary engagement on global issues
- Allows sharing of best practices among legislative bodies
- Adds layer of democratic accountability and legitimacy to G20 decisions
- Has grown in stature and participation over the years
Over the past decade, the P20 Summit has evolved into an important platform for parliamentary engagement on pressing global issues that require coordinated international action. It allows lawmakers from the world’s major economies to come together, share legislative best practices, and identify common challenges that need collaborative solutions.
The discussions and outcomes of the P20 Summit feed into the broader G20 negotiations and provide a crucial parliamentary perspective to the summit declaration. This adds an important layer of democratic accountability and legitimacy to the decisions taken at the G20 table.
P20 has also gradually grown in stature and participation over the years. From just 13 countries participating initially in 2010, the P20 now involves parliamentary speakers from all G20 members, guest countries as well as major regional bodies like the African Union.
Key Focus Areas and Outcomes
- Sustainable development
- Gender equality
- Climate action
- Food and energy security
- Digital public platforms
- Outcomes feed into G20 summit declaration
Some of the key issues that have been recurrent themes in P20 summits include sustainable development, gender equality, climate action, food and energy security, and leveraging digital public platforms for social progress.
The P20 declarations have highlighted parliament’s role in framing laws, allocating resources and exercising oversight on these critical areas. The outcomes and recommendations emerging from P20 feed into the G20 negotiations and provide actionable policy suggestions for the member states.
For instance, the 2018 P20 summit focused on exploring parliamentary mechanisms to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The 2020 virtual P20 summit called for greater deployment of digital platforms and tools to make parliaments more accessible and transparent to citizens.
India’s Leadership of P20 Summit
- Being held in New Delhi from Oct 12-14
- Theme: “Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future”
- Sessions on SDGs, energy transition, gender equality, digital platforms
- Opportunity for India to highlight its democratic ethos and parliamentary traditions
- Chance to forge parliamentary partnerships and spotlight national priorities
As the G20 president for 2023, India is hosting the 9th P20 Summit in New Delhi from October 12th to 14th. The theme chosen by India for this edition is “Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future” which aligns closely with India’s global vision.
The summit included high-level sessions focused on achieving the SDGs, enabling sustainable energy transitions, mainstreaming gender equality and leveraging digital public platforms.
Hosting the P20 provides a unique opportunity for India to highlight its long-standing democratic ethos and parliamentary traditions before a global audience. As the world’s largest democracy, India can share insights from its parliamentary institutions and law-making processes.
India can also utilize the platform to forge new parliamentary partnerships with G20 members and guest nations. The event allows India to spotlight some of its key national development priorities and flagship programs on inclusive growth and social welfare.
Final thoughts
- Emerging significance of P20 in global parliamentary cooperation
- Reinforces role of legislative bodies in tackling global challenges
- India’s presidency a platform to share its democratic model and parliamentary best practices
- Will strengthen India’s leadership credentials in international parliamentary forums
The P20 Summit is emerging as an important platform for global parliamentary cooperation on issues of common concern. It reinforces the role of legislative bodies in providing solutions to global challenges.
India’s leadership of the 2023 P20 Summit gives it a chance to share its successful democratic model centered around vibrant parliamentary institutions. It will also allow India to strengthen its credentials as a champion of parliamentary democracy in international forums.
The outcomes of the Delhi P20 Summit will feed into the G20 Leaders Declaration, apart from forging new parliamentary partnerships. It signifies the increasing salience of parliamentary diplomacy in India’s foreign policy priorities.