Will join G20 leaders in discussing economic and health recovery from pandemic, climate change: Modi

Ahead of his visit to Italy and the UK to attend the G20 meet and COP-26 World Leaders' Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said in Rome he will hold discussions on global economic and health recovery from the pandemic, while in Glasgow he will highlight the need to comprehensively address climate change issues, including equitable distribution of carbon space.

In his departure statement, Modi said he will be visiting Rome and the Vatican City from October 29-31 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, following which he will travel to Glasgow, the UK from November 1-2 at the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"In Rome, I will attend the 16th G20 Leaders’ Summit, where I will join other G20 leaders in discussions on global economic and health recovery from the pandemic, sustainable development, and climate change," Modi said noting that this will be the first in-person summit of the G20 since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the meeting will allow the G20 to take stock of the current global situation and exchange ideas on how the grouping can be an engine for strengthening economic resilience and building back inclusively and sustainably from the pandemic.

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"During my visit to Italy, I will also visit the Vatican City, to call on His Holiness Pope Francis and meet Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin," Modi said.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, the prime minister said he will also meet with leaders of other partner countries and review the progress in India's bilateral relations with them.

Following the conclusion of the G20 Summit on October 31, Modi said, he will depart for Glasgow to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP-26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

"I will be participating in the high-level segment of COP-26 titled ‘World Leaders’ Summit’ (WLS) on 1-2 November, 2021 along with 120 Heads of States/Governments from around the world," he said.

"In line with our tradition of living in harmony with nature and culture of deep respect for the planet, we are taking ambitious action on expanding clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and biodiversity," he asserted.

Noting that India is creating new records in collective effort for climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience and forging multilateral alliances, Modi said India is among the top countries in the world in terms of installed renewable energy, wind and solar energy capacity.

"At the WLS, I will share India's excellent track record on climate action and our achievements," he said.

The prime minister said he will also highlight the need to comprehensively address climate change issues, including equitable distribution of carbon space, support for mitigation and adaptation and resilience building measures, mobilization of finance, technology transfer and importance of sustainable lifestyles for green and inclusive growth.

COP-26 will also provide an opportunity to meet with all the stakeholders, including leaders of partner countries, innovators and inter-governmental organisation, and explore the possibilities for further accelerating our clean growth, Modi added.