Indus Valley Times

New Delhi, MAY 10: The third meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) was held in Goa. The meeting is being held from May 8 to 11 and is being attended by G20 members, nine invited countries and more than 80 representatives of various international and regional organizations. The second day of the DWG meeting started with the opening of ‘ECHO’. An exhibition on women-led development was organized on the occasion, showcasing the role of women in ensuring sustainable development. The exhibition showcased India’s strength in women-led development, nutrition, climate change issues and their contribution to economic empowerment.

The meeting was chaired by India’s DWG Co-Chairman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, K.K. Nagraj Naidu and Eenam Gambhir. The DWG meeting was formally inaugurated by Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi through a video message.

A total of three sessions were organized on the second day of the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Eenam Gambhir, Joint Secretary (G20), Ministry of External Affairs said that the exhibition showcased grassroots businesses, women entrepreneurs, environmentalists and people working with women’s groups. Gambhir said the exhibition has been set up for the delegates as women-led development is a very important priority for the Development Working Group as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is an emphasis on women-led development, nutrition, climate issues and economic empowerment, she added. “It is our endeavour to showcase to the delegates how grassroots women of India are leading these initiatives,” she said.

An exhibition on the theme of women-led development was also inaugurated in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development during the break between sessions. In collaboration with the Government of Goa, the G20 delegates also witnessed the cultural richness and diversity and unique Indian culinary experience, where they got a glimpse of the rich heritage of Goa. Several senior dignitaries from the Government of Goa also participated in the social programs on the occasion.

A side event on women’s leadership development was organized on May 8 before the DWG meeting. During the event, discussions were held on full participation of women in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making processes to achieve gender equality and women-led development. Earlier, the G20 DWG meeting was held in Mumbai from December 13 to 16 last year while the second meeting of the DWG was held in Kumarakom, Kerala in April this year.