India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar came out strongly in support  of vaccine equity and international cooperation to overcome the Covid-19 challenge while addressing the two-day G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in the city of Matera, a Unesco World Heritage Site in south-eastern Italy on Tuesday.

Stressing that the full diversity of our planet needs more accurate reflection in global policy making, Jaishankar said that institutional multilateralism has been found wanting. He stated that reforms have many forms but vaccine equity will be the immediate test.

"Whether it is vaccines, medicines, PPE or oxygen, international cooperation is the answer to the Covid challenge. Need more, not less," the External Affairs Minister tweeted while reflecting on the key message to the gathering of foreign ministers.

He also said that resilient supply chains must develop in parallel and that "the real economy needs decentralised globalisation", including in manufacturing, food and health.

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Italy currently holds the Presidency of the G20, the international forum that brings together the world's major economies. The two-day meeting will also feature a joint session of the Foreign and Development Ministers being held for the first time in G20 history.  

The first session of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting featured two sessions. The first one focused on global governance and multilateralism as a key tool to address major global challenges and promote a sustainable and resilient recovery. The second session will be devoted to relations with the African continent, with a specific focus on sustainable development.

The Development Ministers’ meeting will be held for the first time, focusing on Financing Sustainable Development and Territorial Development and Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ministers will reiterate their commitment to supporting a strong, inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery in developing countries.

On Wednesday, the Ministerial event on Humanitarian Assistance will take place at the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi, operated by the World Food Programme. The meeting will discuss the role played by logistics in the global response to future humanitarian and health crises and will be an opportunity to share the “lessons learned” in the fight against the pandemic.

Jaishankar holds meetings with UK Foreign Secretary, Foreign Ministers of South Africa and Indonesia 

The External Affairs Minister (EAM) on Tuesday morning also met Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom to review the progress of bilateral Road Map and discuss "the state of the world", regional issues, Covid and climate action.

"At the G20 today, Dr S Jaishankar and I spoke about the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, progress in Afghanistan and the situation in Myanmar. The UK & India friendship is invaluable as we tackle common challenges together, from Covid-19 to climate change, so we can Build Back Better," tweeted Raab Tuesday afternoon. 

Jaishankar also held a series of meetings in Bari on Monday, including those with Foreign Ministers of South Africa and Indonesia on the sidelines of the G20 meet.  

"Always nice to meet my good friend. Discussed Covid cooperation and exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar," the minister tweeted after the meeting with Retno Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia.

The EAM said he had "a good conversation" with Jutta Urpilainen, the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, discussing the Covid challenge, connectivity partnership and development cooperation. The EAM said that he "underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access" and a fair travel regime.

"Always a privilege to discuss with India FM Dr S Jaishankar. As likeminded partners w/ convergence of views on global issues, we spoke about cooperating in a more structured way on sustainable development, leaving no one behind," Urpilainen tweeted with Indian and European Union flag.

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In his meeting with South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, Jaishankar covered "shared concerns" on vaccine equity and access besides also discussing Climate Action approaches.

The EAM also held a meeting with Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a 38-member international organisation which works with governments, policy makers and citizens, on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges.

Jaishankar said that he discussed "India-OECD bilateral engagement" with Cormann and appreciated OECD’s contribution to the G20.

"Thank you for the great conversation Dr S Jaishankar. The OECD looks forward to strengthening our partnership with India further and to work with you in the lead-up to your 2023 G20 Presidency," Cormann tweeted later.

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