On April 30, 2020, an Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital Economy Ministers meeting was held to discuss the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and to forge a global coordinated response harnessing Digital Technologies. The meeting was attended by Digital Ministers of G20 Members, invited countries and International Organizations.
- India was represented by Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & IT Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Decisions taken by G20 Digital Economy Task Force COVID-19:
During the meet the G20 nations agreed for a coordinated global digital response to fight the pandemic, adopting measures to strengthen communication infrastructure and network connectivity, non-personal data exchange in a secured manner, use of digital solutions for healthcare, cyber-secured world and measures to strengthen resilience of businesses.
Key Points Highlighted by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad:
-The Indian Minister called on the G20 to come out with a concrete Digital action plan to fight the global pandemic.
-Work from home being practised during the ongoing lockdown might become a trend in coming days.
-The minister highlighted India’s action plan to fight coronavirus by leveraging digital technology which include Aarogya Setu mobile app, using geo-fencing for quarantine management, direct benefit transfer among others.
-He offered Indian Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) sector as a lucrative destination for displaced Global Supply chains.
About G20 or Group of Twenty:
Members– Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and European Union (EU). Spain is a permanent guest invitee to the G20 meetings.
Current Presidency– Saudi Arabia
2020 G20 Presidency theme– Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All
Chairman– Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)
