As part of the G 20 University Connect event, a special lecture on G-20 and Role of Indian Presidency by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent Representative of India to UN & Dean, Kautilya School of Public Policy, Hyderabad was organized on January 25, 2023 in the Zakir Hussain Lecture Hall Complex at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). This event was also graced by Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) and attended by a large gathering of students, faculty, officers and administrative staff.
This event focused on the assumption of the G20 Presidency by India and its significance to the world in general and to India in particular. It is a crucial responsibility that is being assumed by India at a very challenging time in world politics and at an inflection point in India’s own history. December 1, 2022 is a red-letter day as India assumed the G20 Presidency from Indonesia and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in the country in 2023. A nation deeply committed to democracy and multilateralism, India’s G20 Presidency would be a watershed moment in her history as it seeks to play an important role by finding pragmatic global solutions for the wellbeing of all, and in doing so, manifest the true spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or the ‘World is One Family’.
Syed Akbaruddin is a retired Indian civil servant from 1985 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and served as India’s permanent representative at the United Nations at New York from January 2016 to April 2020. He had previously served as the official spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs from January 2012 to April 2015 and was the Indian representative at the IAEA from 2006 to 2011. He is currently serving as the Dean of Kautilya School of Public Policy at GITAM, Hyderabad. He is an alumnus of MA-Political Science 1980-82 batch at the University of Hyderabad.
In his talk, Shri Akbaruddin engaged the audience by posing interesting questions and eliciting answers from them. In the process he presented the history of the G 20, from its origin to present day status.
He lucidly explained India’s G20 following Priorities:
- Green Development, Climate Finance & LiFE
- Accelerated, Inclusive & Resilient Growth
- Accelerating progress on SDGs
- Technological Transformation & Digital Public Infrastructure
- Multilateral Institutions for the 21st century
- Women-led development
Shri Akbaruddin also said, “G 20 contributes to almost 80% of the World’s economy and hence we have a greater responsibility as its Presidency”. He called upon the students to contribute and make it a year to remember which comes once in two decades for a country.
Professor BJ Rao, Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad spoke on Internationalization and Role of the G-20 and said, “G 20 is a way of bringing the World to India. It is natural to welcome G 20 naturally as we have always believed in ‘one world one family.”
Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University also spoke on this occasion and gave insights on India’s contribution as the largest democracy in the world.
Prof. RS Sarraju, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad welcomed the gathering. Prof. E Haribabu, former Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad and Member –Steering Committee for G-20, University Connect gave the concluding remarks. Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar, University of Hyderabad proposed the vote of thanks.
Kindly see the link for the video: