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  • FG to sanction employers over indecent working conditions

    FG to sanction employers over indecent working conditions

    The Federal Government says it will sanction employers of labour over indecent working conditions that negates local and international labour laws.

     

    Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment said this during the inauguration of Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) III, (2023-2027) on Friday in Abuja.

     

    The DWCP was inaugurated to promote jobs, guarantee rights at work, extend social protection and promote social dialogue.

     

    The programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

     

    Lalong said decent work deficits had continued to abound in the economy as informal employment has become the norm, while well-paying jobs that offer social protection benefits are the exception.

     

    According to him, workers in the informal economy are exposed to poor working conditions, low pay, long hours of work and low rate of unionism, unsafe working environments.

     

    “As well as absence of efficient employment and job creation opportunities and conditions of underemployment, among others.

     

    “Government is aware of the activities of some of these employers, who due to the pursuit of profit, disregard the extant labour laws.

     

    “This creates work environments that frustrate the attainment of decent work for employers or employees because of the quest for profit.

     

    “Many workers are exploited and make the work in very indecent and intolerable conditions, which negate all local and international labour laws.

     

    “Hence, we shall not fail to sanction such organisations and ensure that the rights and privileges of Nigerian workers are protected,”he said.

     

    He said that he had directed the Inspectorate Department in the ministry, to wake up to its responsibility and ensure the full compliance with decent work regulations across the country.

     

    The minister said “I shall be engaging relevant government agencies to ensure that these entities are fully made to face the rod of the law.

     

    Lalong said the implementation of Decent Work Country Programme would ensure that existing, and new jobs in both the public and private sectors are productive.

     

    “It would also provide opportunities for career progression to deliver a fair income and social security for the family.

     

    “It will ensure that the tenets of decent work are mainstreamed into all Employment Generation activities,”he said.

     

    Also speaking, Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director to Nigeria said that the process of developing the DWCP was robust, inclusive, and consultative with the participation of the social partners.

     

    According to him, the ILO in 2021 conducted a diagnostic study on the decent work situation in Nigeria, which gave it reliable data on the situation at hand.

     

    She said that several recommendations were made to address the decent work deficits in Nigeria.

     

    Phala said the DWCP document would serve as a tool in addressing the country’s social and economic challenges.

     

    “It will ensure job-rich, inclusive, and sustainable growth.

     

    “It is also an instrument that the government and social partners can use to mobilise resources needed to address productive employment and decent work,”she said.

     

    Mr Matthias Schmale, UN Resident Coordinator, said that Nigeria was lagging far behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

     

    “Sadly, Nigeria is seen as the biggest in the African continent if not by whole.

     

    “We must really work very hard together to ensure that Nigeria like everyone else catches up in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

     

    “If Nigeria can achieve the SDGs, the implementation of DWCP would be a thing of the past,”he said.

     

    Schmale said that the UN would continue to offer Nigerian government series of transformative initiatives to help accelerate the SDG achievement.

  • Kogi: CP Orders Investigation of Attack on Residence of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

    Kogi: CP Orders Investigation of Attack on Residence of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Lokoja: (Flowerbudnews): The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, has ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on the Quarters of the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    A statement by William Ovye Aya, the Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Command said that the CP directive followed report of the shooting by some hoodlums at the INEC Commissioner’s quarters.

    The statement read,:

    The Command received distress today 1/12/2023 at about 0311hrs on the attack by unknown armed hoodlums who stormed the Quarters of the REC, INEC and started shooting sporadically.

    The Police guards on duty at the residence engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and denied them access to the premises.

    Meanwhile, the Sienna Bus they came with was seen burnt to ashes at the frontage of the house. Immediately, the Commissioner of Police deployed a reinforcement Team of Tactical Operatives to the scene while trailing the hoodlums.

    He commended the guards on duty for their bravery and diligence.

    The Commissioner while condemning the attacks, tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to commence investigation with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to deserved justice.

    The CP assured the people of Kogi State of the Command’s commitment to guarantee the safety of lives and property of law abiding citizens,.

    He urged them to collaborate with the Security Agencies by way of volunteering credible and timely information on the activities of Criminal elements in the State to enable Prompt and commensurate response.(Flowerbudnews)

     

     

  • Just in: Gunmen attack Kogi REC in Lokoja

    Just in: Gunmen attack Kogi REC in Lokoja

    Gunmen have attacked the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

    Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi disclosed this in a statement Friday in Abuja.

    He said the REC, Dr Hale Longpet was hale and hearty as the security personnel attached to him were able to hold off the attackers before reinforcement.

    “In the early hours of today, Friday 1st December 2023, around 3.30am, gunmen attacked the residence of our Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lokoja, Kogi State.

     

    “The armed men engaged the security personnel in a gun battle for over 30 minutes until reinforcement arrived.

     

    While no lives were lost, property was destroyed in the ensuing gun battle. A team of combined security personnel have been deployed to protect the residence.This incident occurred a day after a mob besieged our state office.

     

    “We call for a thorough investigation and enhanced security protection for our personnel and assets in Kogi State”, he stated.

     

    Some protesters branded in Social Democratic Party SDP shirts had on Wednesday besieged the INEC office in Lokoja claiming that the commission was working with the state government to tamper with election materials.

     

    One of them who identified himself as Danjuma, said they were sure the materials at the INEC Office had been compromised by the APC, vowing that those w

    We have it on good authority that the APC and Yahaya Bello have tampered with the election materials. The materials they are taking to the tribunal have already been doctored. So we are calling on INEC to take the original material to INEC, or we will make Kogi State ungovernable.

    Those who stole the mandate of Kogi East must not live to enjoy it. We are calling on the President and also the National Chairman of INEC to ensure the doctored materials are immediately replaced with the original ones before they are presented at the tribunal. Anything other than that will be resisted,” he had said.

  • Enugu East council to build 7,000 shops under PPP arrangement to boost development

    Enugu East council to build 7,000 shops under PPP arrangement to boost development

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:  The Enugu East Local Government Area in Enugu State says it is building 7,000 shops at the Orie Ugwogo Market along Enugu-Ogwogo-Nsukka Road through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement to boost socio-economic development.

     

    Doing the groundbreaking ceremony of the permanent site of the market on Friday, Dr Victor Nnam, a former Commissioner for lands in Enugu State, said that the market is sitting on a 20-hectare of land with six market zones would have basic market amenities.

     

    Nnam, who is the Principal Consultant of Geo–Squaremeter Innovative Limited, said that these modern market zones included: the lorry park and warehouses; services and general goods; livestock market; building materials market; foodstuff market; and timber market.

    He said that the company had begun construction of the proposed market that would serve as a signature project of Enugu East council area under the Chairmanship of Chief Livinus Anike in partnership with Umunonu-Umuezeani in Ugwogo Nike and Geo-Squaremeter innovative Ltd.

     

    Nnam noted working with his team of experts; they would ensure that the approved prototype of the market by the council is followed to the latter while calling on investors to invest in the shops as they’re sure of getting value for their money.

     

    He added that the PPP market project would be delivered in 24 months, adding that it was hoped that the market would transform from the current every 4 days market to daily market.

     

    Speaking, Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Chief Livinus Anike, said the movement of the market to its permanent site is long overdue as current space no longer accommodates the fast-expanding market leading to serious traffic for people of Isi-Uzo travelling homes.

    Anike said the project remained very dear to him as it resonates to the ease of doing business preached by the current administration led by His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah.

     

    He also commended the developer Nnam for prioritising the interest of the people in the development of the market and called on both the host and neighbouring communities to take ownership of the market.

     

    According to him, I am encouraging all in this PPP arrangement to always be united so that the market can bring the desired prosperity to them.

     

    Earlier, the Traditional ruler of Ugwogo-Nike, Igwe Emeka Ugwu, said that the neighbouring villages would retain their spots as it is in the temporary site; while thanking the council chairman and the developer for bringing the project to fruition.

     

    Similarly, Chief Joseph Ugwumba, one of the leaders of the host community, said that the Orie Market had existed even in the days of the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War and met a great need.

     

    Ugwumba said that astronomical growth of the market was not unexpected thus necessitating the need for expansion; adding: “My community is delighted with the project and ready to play its role to see to the completion of the project”.

    In a remark, the Chairman Peace and Development Committee, Chief Donatus Agbodo said that the growing population made it inevitable for the market to be moved to a more suitable permanent place.

     

    Agbodo said: “We thank the chairman for his progressive mind in making this dream a reality. It was a promise you (chairman) made during your electioneering campaign as you promised to enhance human capital development in Enugu East council.

     

    “We the people of Umunonu-Umuezeani and Ugwogo-Nike in general have received our own share in your administration drive towards reducing poverty in Enugu East Local Government Area, this market will alleviate poverty among our people.”(Flowerbudnews)

  • Alleged P&ID fraud: EFCC withdraws charge against ex-Lagos AG, Shasore

    Alleged P&ID fraud: EFCC withdraws charge against ex-Lagos AG, Shasore

     

    Abuja: The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, withdrew the money laundering charge preferred against Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, following a directive by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minster of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
    EFCC’s Counsel, Bala Sanga, informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, upon resumed hearing that his office notified him as prosecuting lawyer that there was a letter from the AGF requesting the anti-graft agency to withdraw the charge.

    Sanga, who said the letter would be brought to court, prayed the court to stand down the matter to await its delivery and the judge granted the request.

    When the court reconvened, the prosecution presented copies of the letter to the judge and the defence counsel, Chief Olawale Akoni, SAN.
    “Based on the AGF’s directive, we apply to withdraw the case,” Sanga told the court.

    Akoni, who did not object to the oral application, said: “We will humbly be asking the defendant to be discharged.”

    Justice Ekwo, consequently, ordered the withdrawal of the charge and discharged Shasore, who was former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State.
    He said: “Upon being shown a letter from the AGF dated 23rd of November and the application by the prosecution counsel that the matter be withdrawn, the charge is hereby withdrawn and the defendant discharged.”
    The AGF’s letter sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and personally signed by Mr Fagbemi, which was addressed to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, was captioned: “RE: Review of All Civil and Criminal Proceedings Between Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) and Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN).”
    The cases were listed as: charge number: FHC/L/447C/2022 – FRN Vs. Olasupo Shasore, SAN; charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/386/2022 – FRN Vs. Middlesex Investments Ltd and charge number: ID/19657C/2022 – FRN Vs. Olasupo Shasore, SAN.
    The letter with reference number: DPPA/OLASUPO/345/23 informed the EFCC “that the above charges were being reviewed in the light of recent developments in Process & Industrial Developments Limited vs. The Federal Republic of Nigeria (CL-2018-000182) and The Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Process & Industrial Developments Limited (CL-2019-000752).
    “Consequently, you are hereby directed, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 105(1) & 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to withdraw the said charges with immediate effect and revert on compliance promptly.”
    NAN reports that Shasore was standing trial in Abuja and Lagos State on alleged money laundering offences.
    The ex-Lagos A-G was, on November 4, 2022, arraigned on a 14-count money laundering charge before Justice Ekwo of Abuja court.
    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/386/22 filed on Aug. 17, 2022, Middlesex Investments Ltd and Shasore were 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.
    Shasore was alleged to be a director and a signatory to the company’s Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0005659394.
    The former commissioner, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences alleged to have been committed along with the company and was granted bail in terms of the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.
    On Oct. 20, 2022, Shasore was arraigned before Chukwujekwu Aneke, judge of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
    Hours later, the former A-G was arraigned before Mojisola Dada, judge of a Federal High Court in Lagos on a four-count charge of alleged money laundering.
    NAN had, on Oct. 23, reported that a Business and Property Court in London presided over by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales had quashed the 11 billion dollars awarded against Nigeria in a case filed by P&ID.
    Judge Knowles held that the award was obtained by fraud and that what had happened in the case was contrary to public policy.
    The court also declared that it did not find any merit in the charges of bribery levelled against Shasore, who represented Nigeria in the arbitration.

    The Federal Government had, in the case marked: CL-2019-000752, sought to overturn $6.6 billion arbitration awarded in favour of P&ID in 2017.

    The award had continued to accrue interest since then, rising to approximately $11 billion before the judgment.(NAN)(www.nannnews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • CAS lauds troops for exceptional performance in South-East operation

    CAS lauds troops for exceptional performance in South-East operation

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has lauded Nigerian Air Force (NAF) troops for exceptional performance in ongoing Joint Task Force in South-East code-named Operation Udo Ka II.

    Abubakar said this on Thursday in Enugu during his maiden visit and tour of operational and training assets and facilities within NAF Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu.

    He noted that NAF troops had done exceptional well and recorded series of successes in the joint operation meant to keep the South-East safe and secured for all.

    The CAS noted that the GTC Command was highly important to NAF as it houses the ground component (non technical component) as well as a unit of air component necessary to ensure the attainment of the mandate of NAF.

     

    He said: “Today, we are in Enugu, which is the host of the GTC Command in our maiden visit and we are here to interact with the NAF personnel, see the facilities and infrastructure on ground.

     

    “We are also here to encourage the personnel to continue to do the good job they had been doing before now.

    “The GTC Command and the Air Training Command are key to all of our activities in NAF and the two commands ensure we have the adequate and skilled manpower for all our activities and operations.

     

    “I am also here to strengthen our activities within Operation Udo Ka II, which Enugu is the headquarters, and see how we can achieve greater successes more than what we are having now and ensure that South-East is totally secured.”

     

    According to him, there is currently training and graduation ongoing in most of NAF training facilities nationwide; while currently 750 personnel are undergoing training and would be graduating between December and January.

    “These training are important to us in terms of our operation; and the current number (750) is very significant amount of manpower to be injected into our operations and other activities in the country,” he said.

     

    On the inspection in new GTC Command Headquarters, new 553 Base Services Group (BSG) Headquarters and BSG Annex; Abubakar said that he was quite satisfied and impressed with the pace, level and quality of work done already.

    “I have taken out time to inspect the projects and asked questions about the projects and I tell you that I am satisfied with what are on ground and all our assets and facilities are well maintained and protected,” he said.

    The NAF boss commended NAF officers, airman and airwomen in GTC Command for “doing a good job and keeping the flag flying high” as well as extolled their sacrifices and commitment to duties as well.

     

    “I am very happy for their performance. We at the NAF headquarters we are do all we can to make sure they have all the necessary support and equipment as well as welfare and accommodation to carry out their jobs effectively,” he said.

    He assured NAF personnel of doing more by providing all necessary infrastructures to ensure the maximum working of the GTC Command.

    The CAS also inaugurated a renovated airmen’s club and new Mrs Rakiya Abubakar Children’s Park as well as inspected the water treatment and reticulation system and the hospital within NAF Base Abakpa in Enugu. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Bayelsa poll: Suit seeking to disqualify Diri stalled, adjourned until Feb. 19

    Bayelsa poll: Suit seeking to disqualify Diri stalled, adjourned until Feb. 19

     

    Abuja:  The suit seeking the disqualification of Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Thursday, could not proceed at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The matter, which was on number 16 on the cause list before Justice Emeka Nwite, was however fixed for Feb. 19, 2024, for hearing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that less than nine days to the Nov. 11 Bayelsa governorship election, a fresh suit seeking Diri and Ewhrudjakpo’s disqualification commenced before Justice Nwite.

    Justice Nwite had, on Nov. 3, fixed today (Nov. 30) for hearing after the judge granted the ex-parte motion moved by plaintiff’s counsel, Ifeanyi Nwosu, seeking a leave to serve Diri and Ewhrudjakpo at the Government House in Bayelsa, through courier service.

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1448/23 and filed by a Bayelsan woman, Blessing Clement Azibanagbal through her lawyer, Nsowu, listed Diri, Ewhrudjakpo, PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    The suit sought an order of mandatory injunction, directing INEC to remove the names of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo as PDP’s candidates in the Nov. 11 poll.

    It also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC, its agents, privies or whosoever called, from further publishing their names as standard bearers for the party in the forthcoming election in Bayelsa.

    It further sought a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo was not qualified to run as deputy governor under the PDP.

    Azibanagbal, in the originating summons dated Oct. 26 and filed on Oct. 30, sought a declaration that Ewhrudjakpo was also not qualified to be a running mate with Diri.
    Besides, she prayed the court to declare that Ewhrudjakpo had multiple of names without any evidence to proof “that he is the same person.”
    She, therefore, urged the court to declare that the PDP had no candidate in the poll.
    But the PDP, in a notice of preliminary objection dated Nov. 28 and filed Nov. 30 through its lawyer, A.K. Ajibade, SAN, prayed the court to dismiss or strike out the suit for being statue-barred.
    It also urged the court to dismiss the suit for not disclosing reasonable cause of action against the defendants.

    Giving five grounds, the PDP argued that Azibanagbal’s case was founded on pre-election matter and the time prescribed by the constitution to initiate such suit had elapsed.
    It argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine a suit that was already statute-barred.

    “This honourable court lacks jurisdiction to hear and determine a suit where and when the plaintiff’s suit failed to disclose cause of action and/or reasonable cause of action,” it said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Tinubu Administration Opening up the Globe for Greater Impact by Nigerians Through TAC Scheme – Buba

    Tinubu Administration Opening up the Globe for Greater Impact by Nigerians Through TAC Scheme – Buba

     

    -Receives Radio Nigeria’s Director of News, Hussaina Akila Banshika, Others on Courtesy Visit

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews) President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration is strengthening the Technical Aid Scheme (TAC) to further open up the world for more impact by Nigerians.

    Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, the Direction General of the Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC) made the declaration when a group of Adamawa State indigenes in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), led by the Director (News), Hussaina Akila Banshika, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.

    This was disclosed Nkem Anyata-Lafia,
    Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the DTAC DG, a copy of which was made available to Flowerbudnews in Abuja on Thursday.

    Buba enumerated the benefits of the TAC Scheme and the strategic role of soft-power diplomacy in an emerging multi-polar global context, noting that coercion was no longer an option to nation-nation relations

    The DTAC DG told the delegation that the Corps had expanded its programmes to multilateral Organisations and is planning to even cover countries outside the African, Caribbean and Pacific States in the coming year.

    Hon. Buba urged them to continue to support the Agency with media visibility of its programmes and activities.

    The Group congratulated the DTAC boss on his appointment and noting the impact he had made at the Agency within a short time, the group lauded President Tinubu on his choice of the former federal lawmaker for the TAC job

     

    The Group also noted Buba’s achievements as a federal lawmaker and Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which they observed was helping him to run the Technical Aid Corps Scheme excellently.

    Highlight of the visit was the presentation of gift to the former Gombi/Hong Rep by the group, which comprises Hamza Alkali, a Senior Correspondent with Radio Nigeria from Adamawa State ,who covers the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Desk and Halima Bulama,a Reporter-turned-Librarian at Radio Nigeria,who also hails from Adamawa State. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • Towards a Brighter Tomorrow: India’s G20 Presidency and the Dawn of a New Multilateralism

    Towards a Brighter Tomorrow: India’s G20 Presidency and the Dawn of a New Multilateralism

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    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Indian Prime Minister,  Narendra Modi  has x-rayed India’ s one year presidency of the G20 nations had launched a  new orientation, a shift from a GDP-centric to human-centric progress for the nations.

    Prime Minister Modi said:

    Today marks 365 days since India assumed the G20 Presidency. It is a moment to reflect, recommit, and rejuvenate the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’

    As we undertook this responsibility last year, the global landscape grappled with multifaceted challenges: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, looming climate threats, financial instability, and debt distress in developing nations, all amid declining multilateralism. In the midst of conflicts and competition, development cooperation suffered, impeding progress.

    Assuming the G20 Chair, India sought to offer the world an alternative to status quo, a shift from a GDP-centric to human-centric progress.

    India aimed to remind the world of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Finally, the global conversation had to evolve – the interests of the few had to give way to the aspirations of the many. This required a fundamental reform of multilateralism as we knew it.

    Inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive—these four words defined our approach as G20 president, and the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD), unanimously adopted by all G20 members, is testimony to our commitment to deliver on these principles.

    Inclusivity has been at the heart of our presidency. The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 integrated 55 African nations into the forum, expanding it to encompass 80% of the global population. This proactive stance has fostered a more comprehensive dialogue on global challenges and opportunities.

    The first-of-its-kind ‘Voice of the Global South Summit,’ convened by India in two editions, heralded a new dawn of multilateralism. India mainstreamed the Global South’s concerns in international discourse and has ushered in an era where developing countries take their rightful place in shaping the global narrative.

    Inclusivity also infused India’s domestic approach to G20, making it a People’s Presidency that befits that world’s largest democracy.

    Through “Jan Bhagidari” (people’s participation) events, G20 reached 1.4 billion citizens, involving all states and Union Territories (UTs) as partners. And on substantive elements, India ensured that international attention was directed to broader developmental aims, aligning with G20’s mandate.

    At the critical midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, India delivered the G20 2023 Action Plan to Accelerate Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), taking a cross-cutting, action-oriented approach to interconnected issues, including health, education, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

    A key area driving this progress is robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Here, India was decisive in its recommendations, having witnessed the revolutionary impact of digital innovations like Aadhaar, UPI, and Digilocker first-hand.

    Through G20, we successfully completed the Digital Public Infrastructure Repository, a significant stride in global technological collaboration.

    This repository, featuring over 50 DPIs from 16 countries, will help the Global South build, adopt, and scale DPI to unlock the power of inclusive growth.

    For our One Earth, we introduced ambitious and inclusive aims to create urgent, lasting, and equitable change. The Declaration’s ‘Green Development Pact’ addresses the challenges of choosing between combating hunger and protecting the planet, by outlining a comprehensive roadmap where employment and ecosystems are complimentary, consumption is climate conscious, and production is planet-friendly.

    In tandem, the G20 Declaration calls for an ambitious tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Coupled with the establishment of the Global Biofuels Alliance and a concerted push for Green Hydrogen, the G20’s ambitions to build a cleaner, greener world is undeniable.

    This has always been India’s ethos, and through Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE), the world can benefit from our age-old sustainable traditions.

    Further, the Declaration underscores our commitment to climate justice and equity, urging substantial financial and technological support from the Global North. For the first time, there was a recognition of the quantum jump needed in the magnitude of development financing, moving from billions to trillions of dollars. G20 acknowledged that developing countries require $5.9 trillion to fulfil their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030.

    Given the monumental resources required, G20 emphasised the importance of better, larger, and more effective Multilateral Development Banks. Concurrently, India is taking a leading role in UN reforms, especially in the restructuring of principal organs like the UN Security Council, that will ensure a more equitable global order.

    Gender equality took centre stage in the Declaration, culminating in the formation of a dedicated Working Group on the Empowerment of Women next year. India’s Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, reserving one-third of India’s Parliament and state legislative assembly seats for women epitomizes our commitment to women-led development.

    The New Delhi Declaration embodies a renewed spirit of collaboration across these key priorities, focusing on policy coherence, reliable trade, and ambitious climate action. It is a matter of pride that during our Presidency, G20 achieved 87 outcomes and 118 adopted documents, a marked rise from the past.

    During our G20 Presidency, India led deliberations on geopolitical issues and their impact on economic growth and development. Terrorism and the senseless killing of civilians is unacceptable, and we must address it with a policy of zero-tolerance. We must embody humanitarianism over hostility and reiterate that this is not an era of war.

    I am delighted that during our Presidency India achieved the extraordinary: it revitalised multilateralism, amplified the voice of the Global South, championed development, and fought for the empowerment of women, everywhere.

    As we hand over the G20 Presidency to Brazil, we do so with the conviction that our collective steps for people, planet, peace, and prosperity, will resonate for years to come. (Flowerbudnews)