4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting under India’s G20 Presidency to be held in Chennai on July 26-28, 2023

Chennai, July 25, 2023The 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting will be held in Chennai from July 26-28, 2023. The three-day meeting will bring together around 300 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries, and several International Organisations, with a focus on finalising the Ministerial Outcome and the Presidency Documents. 

The pre-event media briefing in Chennai, was addressed by Mr. Bivash Ranjan, ADG, MoEFCC, Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, AS, MoEF&CC, Ms. Richa Sharma, AS, MoEFCC - the theme chairs of Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for land restoration, circular economy, and blue economy. At the briefing, they said, “the deliberations of the 4th ECSWG and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting will end with the G20 Environment and Climate Ministers’ Meeting on Day 3, wherein the Outcome and the Presidency documents will be released.” Further, it was shared that the Ministerial Meeting will be presided over by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. About 35 Ministers from different countries will also attend the meeting. 

Over the last 3 ECSWG meetings as well as virtual sessions held during the months of May, June and July, collaborative and inclusive discussions have taken place on the 3 broad thematic areas identified by the Indian Presidency:

• Arresting land degradation, enriching biodiversity and accelerating ecosystem restoration

• Promoting a sustainable and climate resilient blue economy

•  Resource efficiency and circular economy

These discussions focussed on identifying global solutions that could help tackle the multidimensional challenge of climate and environment degradation. During the 4th ECSWG, further discussion on the outcome documents are scheduled to take place in parallel, under the two broad tracks of Environment and Climate. The discussions on the same will conclude in the Environment and Climate Ministers meeting to be held on 28 July. 

The Ministerial meeting is slated to witness keynote addresses by the world’s stalwarts in the field of climate change, that will set a strong foundation for the rest of the day’s proceedings. The meeting will see discussions among environment and climate ministers of G20 nations, followed by adoption of the High Level Principles document.

One of the highlights of the 4th ECSWG and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting will be the launch of the ‘Resource Efficiency-Circular Economy Industry Coalition’ on day 2 of the event. The coalition's objective is to unite nations, industries, and experts in their endeavour to propel the global circularity agenda forward. This initiative is poised to become a momentous achievement of the G20 India Presidency, representing a collective stride towards fostering on-the-ground efforts in resource efficiency and advancing the principles of circular economy.

It was also shared that the cultural event that is planned to be held at the end of the Ministerial meeting would showcase the cultural and historical magnificence of Tamil Nadu. The delegates will also have the opportunity to visit the historically significant town of Mahabalipuram. The group of monuments dating back to 7th and 8th centuries is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. 

The delegates will also witness a cultural extravaganza that aims to present the opulent heritage and traditions of the region through various performances and displays. The evening will also feature a showcase of authentic regional cuisine, allowing delegates to savour the diverse and delectable flavours that Tamil Nadu has to offer.

ECSWG has demonstrated an unwavering commitment towards ensuring environmental sustainability, which resonates with the vision of the Indian Presidency to tackle the interconnected issues of climate and environment in an ambitious and decisive manner.