India will raise health issues in G20

India took over the presidency of the G20 on 1 December last year. The G20, one of the most important global forums for economic governance, has a membership that accounts for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world’s population. The theme unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G20 is ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

“India’s G20 agenda is inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. The G20 will provide India an opportunity to emerge as the voice of the lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). We have identified several key health priorities under the health track, namely, health emergencies, prevention, preparedness and response; Second, strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector for availability and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical interventions such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

India exported medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We will be able to use the agenda to promote globally distributed manufacturing of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics to manage future health emergencies. Currently, the availability of medical countermeasures is being linked to national security and India can be sure to play an active role in ensuring health security for the Global South and LMICs,” he said.