Stage set for G20 meet, Goa ready to play host to global delegates

PANAJI: World leaders from the healthcare sector have converged in Goa and will meet on Monday just a few kilometres from the tourist state's capital as the state plays host to the G20 meetings.

According to the authorities, 180 delegates from 19 countries and India will sit down over the next three days to deliberate on the avenues for collaboration, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic that brought every country to a standstill.

The first meeting of the G20 summit to take place in Goa is the Health Working Group, where participants will discuss health policies and initiatives. Over the course of the three-day meeting, there will be four panel discussions and four formal sessions held.

Goa has been chosen as the venue for the 2nd Health Working Group G20 meeting due to its strategic location and its well-developed healthcare infrastructure, including a number of hospitals, research centres, and medical colleges, said state government officials."If you were to see why the G20 is such a powerful institution, 90% of the global GDP is actually happening within these nations, 75% of the world's trade, two-thirds of the world's population and half of the world's land are within this group. G20 has a strong advocacy power in terms of setting global agendas," said additional secretary with the Union ministry of health and family welfare, Lav Agarwal.

The first meeting in Goa is expected to contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote global health and boost global health systems. "We want India's G20 presidency to be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented. This has been the overall guidance of the Prime Minister," said Agarwal.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant has extended a warm welcome to all the G20 delegates and said that the coming meetings will bring about a breakthrough in the development of new partnerships with India.

"After months of preparations, we are ready to host the first meeting. Adequate arrangements have been made, and we have put our best foot forward to ensure a successful event," said chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel.

Government departments have been working round the clock to prepare for the event and have pulled out all the stops to ensure that safety and security arrangements are in place.

The state has deployed 770 security personnel along with coastal security forces across the state. Goa police will have close to 200 police in uniform and about 168 personnel from the security and intelligence unit to monitor movements and track down any suspicious activity.

In order to ensure that hygiene levels are maintained without adulteration, the Food and Drugs Authority has issued directives to all restaurants where delegates will be dining. The FDA has also deputed 13 people for food sampling and kitchen inspection.

Approximately 120 staff of Goa State Fire Services, 144 medical and paramedical professionals, and more than 100 other liaison officers are on duty at the venue.(TOI)