Climate change, peace-building, future of work & health discussed at Y20 summit in Varanasi

A four-day Youth 20 (Y20) summit concluded in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Delegates at the Youth-20 Summit discussed issues such as climate change, peace-building, future of work and health. Y20 is the official youth engagement group of G20. It provides a platform that allows the youth to express their vision and ideas on the G20 priorities.

A four-day Youth 20 (Y20) summit concluded in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Delegates at the Youth-20 Summit discussed issues such as climate change, peace-building, future of work and health. Y20 is the official youth engagement group of G20. It provides a platform that allows the youth to express their vision and ideas on the G20 priorities.

In the summit, various recommendations were made including empower lifelong learning, prepare the global workforce for global challenges, strengthen international research collaboration, promote universal gig worker Rights and implement accessible sustainable financing and mentoring.

The Y20 Summit was formally inaugurated on the second day by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and it was also attended by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur. The Y20 Summit was organised from 17th August to 20th August.

More than 100 youths from G20 countries, guest countries and international organisations engaged in Discussion on Y20 Draft Communiqué. They were mainly engaged in deliberations and negotiations on five identified themes of Y20 including future of work; peace-building and reconciliation; climate change and disaster risk reduction; shared future and health, wellbeing and sports.

During the 4 day summit, delegates visited Sarnath, the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga ghat during a river cruise. India’s rich art, culture and heritage left a long-lasting impression on the delegates from across the world. Rich and diverse cultural heritage of the holy city of Varanasi; its spirituality, literature, art, and music also mesmerized the delegates from G20 countries, guest countries and international organisations.

Outcome of the Summit in the form of the Y20 Communiqué was signed by Heads of Delegation, which marked the conclusion of the various discussions held during the last few months. It is a testament to the collective common vision across the five identified themes of Y20, which will ensure that the voices of young people are heard by the highest-level decision-makers on a global platform.

The communiqué was released by representatives of Y20 Chair India, Indonesia Organising Committee and Brazil Organising Committee.

Y20, as part of overall framework of G20 under Presidency of India has set new milestones for the world. During the summit, Y20 Communiqué was discussed and negotiated, thereafter, it has been signed successfully with unanimous consent.

Under the overall framework of G-20 Presidency, a number of events were organised including the Y20 curtain raiser in New Delhi, inception meeting in Guwahati, Y20 Pre-Summit at Leh, Ladakh, 14 Y20 consultations at various universities across the country and 50 brainstorming sessions each by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).