Toronto/CMEDIA: Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, concluded on June 13 a trip to Varanasi, India June 11 to 13, 2023 after participating in the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting and visited Canada’s High Commission in India, a news release has said.
“In the spirit of India’s G20 presidency, One Earth, One Family, One Future, we must all contribute to addressing the global challenges that affect sustainable development around the world and work as one to meet the UN 2030 Agenda goals.” said Sajjan
Focusing on the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” the development ministers discussed how the G20 can help accelerate progress in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, including through efforts to improve access to financing.
Condemning Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, Minister Sajjan brought attention to its severe impacts on food security at a moment of heightened risk of hunger and famine.
The need for collaboration to get progress towards the SDGs on track toward 2030 was reinforced by Sajjan throughout the meeting, including developing countries’ enhanced accessibility to financing.
With a call on the G20 to help maintain the momentum toward concrete reforms to the international financial architecture, Sajjan reinforced the need for assistance to remove bottlenecks and barriers faced by developing-country partners.
Alignment of Canada’s leadership with its Feminist International Assistance Policy was also highlighted by Sajjan by highlighting Canada’s commitment to the SDGs and to climate action, environment and biodiversity objectives using a feminist lens.
Bilateral discussions were also held by Minister Sajjan with Svenja Shulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Shunsuke Takei, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan, Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, and Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships on shared priorities, such as disaster response.
The meeting concluded with India issuing an Outcome Document and Chair Summary reflecting Ministers’ commitment to accelerate progress for full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achievement of the SDGs.
The G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on the SDGs and High-level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development were endorsed by the development Ministers.
Following the meeting, Sajjan also met in New Delhi with staff members of Canada’s High Commission in India.
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