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Assam readies to host G20 meetings

By Nava Thakuria |

Guwahati: Assam is all set to host first sustainable financial working group (SFWG) meeting and Youth 20 inception meeting as part of India's year-long G20 presidency, where it is meticulously chalked out various tour programs that would help in promoting the State’s rich biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage in international arena. The authorities have completed the preparation to welcome the foreign delegates to the State.

Guwahati is adorned with digital wall painting, thematic gates, flags of G 20 countries, LED cut-outs, standees, hoarding, etc as part of branding and beautification. The government has also completed the arrangement for the visiting delegates to places of importance like Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Garbhanga Reserve Forest, Brahmaputra Heritage Centre, etc.

The theme for G 20 is ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ with the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The two-day SFWG meeting will kick start on 2 February at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city, where 94 delegates from the G20 member countries, guest countries, different international organizations and officials from the Union government will be present.

The first day’s programs include yoga and three SFWG sessions. It will end with the river cruise, Ratri bhoj par samvad and a cultural event. Second day’s programs too contain a yoga session, three side event sessions, fourth SFWG session and concluding dinner at Brahmaputra Heritage Centre. The Youth 20 Inception meeting will be attended by 250 delegates on 7-8 February at Radisson Blu and IIT Guwahati.

Over 400 students from various local academic institutions will also participate in the meeting. This is the first of various meetings to be held on the five Youth 20 themes across India in a run-up to the final Y 20 summit in August. The Y 20 meeting will focus on various themes including peace building and reconciliation, future of work industry, climate change & disaster risk reduction, youth in democracy & governance, health wellbeing and sports.

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Senior journalist based in Guwahati.
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