Shri Amitabh Kant ji,

Excellencies, Sherpas and Heads of Delegations of G20 Members, Invitees, Guest Countries & International Organisations,

Distinguished delegates,

Namaskaram,

On behalf of the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs, I am delighted to welcome you all to the 2nd Sherpa Meeting of the India’s G20 Presidency here in Kumarakom, Kottayam.

Kottayam is an important trading center of spices and rubber. Kottayam contributes to 35% of India’s natural rubber production. As rubber is lifeline of hundreds of thousands of families, the government of India has undertaken numerous initiatives for their welfare. Kottayam is known as “Akshara Nagari” which means the “city of letters” considering its contribution to print media and literature. Many of the first Malayalam daily newspapers and publishing houses were established here.

Kottayam Town is the first town in India to have achieved 100% literacy, way back in 1989.

While you attend important meetings and produce important outcome documents, I request you all to experience the local importance, cherish cuisine like Appam, Pittu, Aviyal, Banana Chips, Idliyappam etc and shop Kerala’s unique handicraft items. I would miss something if I do not mention Kerala’s backwaters. Kumarakom comprises of a cluster of little islands with lush backwater and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. I am happy to note that you will be enjoying boat ride in beautiful backwaters later in the day.

Kerala is also known as a place where Ayurveda, the science of life, was originated and practiced in its purest form. Your visit is not complete if you do not experience Ayurveda. I am confident that after you explore, you will know why Kerala, ranks among the ten top places globally to visit in one’s lifetime, is rightly known as “God’s own country”.

Friends,

Our G20 theme based on universal brotherhood i.e. “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One Future” has found resonance across the world, with its all encompassing, inclusive message, capturing the diverse global challenges of the day.

We have successfully held 46 G20 meetings so far, in 27 different cities in India, for which I thank you all most sincerely for the enthusiastic in-person participation from your countries. In addition to the Sherpa and Finance Track working groups, the two Ministerials, i.e. the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Meeting and the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM), saw record high-level participation from all. In particular, 28 Foreign Ministers and 2 Deputy/Vice Foreign Ministers attended the FMM. Going forward, we hope for the successful conduct of about 20 more Ministerial meetings to come, and at the New Delhi Leaders’ Summit on 9-10 September 2023.

Our broad G20 priorities of Green Development, Climate Finance and LiFE; Accelerated, Inclusive and Resilient Growth; Accelerating progress on SDGs; Technological Transformation and Public Digital Infrastructure; Multilateral Institutions of the 21 Century and Women-Led development have found broad acceptance. These priorities were also supported by 124 countries of the Global South at our “Voice of the Global South Summit” in January 2023.

The Chair’s Summary and Outcome Document following the G 20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held from 1-2 March, 2023 in New Delhi was the first ever in G20. Its key outcomes included endorsement of multilateral reforms, a shared approach to development cooperation, the need for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to mobilize additional financing, an unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and a resolve to counter new and emerging threats, need for reliable food and fertilizer supply chains as well as resilient supply chains, global skill mapping, among others. In a first, further deepening of cooperation between G20 and African partners, i.e., the African Union, was highlighted. With South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, AU Chair Comoros, Mauritius and AUDA-NEPAD, the Indian Presidency has the highest ever participation from Africa in any G20.

And all of this has been possible only due to our collective efforts despite the challenges the world is facing right now.

In conclusion, let me express my confidence that Kumarakom will provide you all with the perfect opportunity to take stock of the work done so far, as well as to deliberate on the way forward for further cementing G20’s good work and achieving ambitious and agreed outcomes. I wish you all productive discussions and an enjoyable stay.

Thank you.