January 31, 2024
This body representing reputed think-tanks from across the G20 membership will work in tandem with similar bodies representing business, civil society and other such groups, which have been formed as part of Brazil’s G20 presidency this year.
G20 has 19 countries and two economic blocs, European Union and African Union, as its members, representing both the developed and developing world. Together, they account for more than 80 per cent of the global economy.
Through policy research and related means, T20 Brazil will contribute to the debate and discourse on three priorities of Brazil’s G20 presidency. They are: promoting social inclusion and the fight against hunger, energy transition and sustainable development in its three aspects – social, economic and environmental, and reform of global governance institutions.
Speaking about this honour, Mehta said: “It will give me and CUTS opportunities to upfront the voice of the global south on critical matters of global economic governance, particularly the imperative of reforming multilateral bodies such as the World Trade Organisation.”
“This should be an era of cooperation, not confrontation, and inclusiveness. This is what India achieved in its G20 presidency in 2023 by getting the African Union into this body, and it will help Brazil to take forward and enlarge that positive energy.”
Moreover, Bipul Chattopadhyay, Executive Director of CUTS International, has been made a co-chair of one of sub-topics of Task Force 4 of T20 Brazil. This Task Force will deal with issues related to Trade and Investment for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.
Along with other selected experts, he is responsible for steering the activities of sub-topic 1 of this Task Force, which covers trade and investment aspects of fighting inequality, poverty, and hunger, and fostering social inclusion.
“We look forward to work with Amitabh Kant, India’s Sherpa to the G20 to make meaningful contributions to future outcomes propounded by this body in a balanced and equitable manner,” Mehta added.
“CUTS, having its affiliates in Asia, Africa and in international cities of economic governance such as Geneva, Washington DC, is in a right position to put forward diverse views from multiple stakeholders on the table. As we work at the policy level as well as in trenches, through this membership CUTS is in a position to help G20 members to achieve incremental progress in global economic governance.”
“Being strongly rooted in Africa, CUTS will be actively promoting African interests in its roles in the T20 Brazil’s deliberations. It was one of the few Indian organisations, which actively promoted AU’s successful bid to become a full member of the G20 under India’s presidency.”
The International Advisory Council of T20 Brazil has 34 members from diverse background and countries. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General of New Delhi-based Research and Information System for Developing Countries is the other member from India in this body.
CUTS International is a 40-year-old think- and action-tank doing public policy research and grassroots activities on trade, regulation and governance. Among other objectives and since its beginning, it has advocated for liberalisation with safety nets.
For more information, please contact:
Vandana Sharma, +91-80056-55580, vsw@cuts.org
Akshay Sharma, +91-96023-37366, aks@cuts.org
Vijay Singh, +91-80766-19084, vs1@cuts.org