Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman's Engagements at the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi, India, 11 to 13 June 2023

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, is in Varanasi, India to attend the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting (DMM).

At the DMM, the Development Ministers committed to doubling down on efforts to assist developing countries in accelerating progress, already off-track pre-pandemic, towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. They also emphasised the importance of green development and reaffirmed the importance of tackling the climate crisis and supporting developing countries in their green transition.

In his interventions, Minister Maliki suggested areas where the G20 could assist developing countries in achieving the SDGs, for example, the establishment of a framework to provide capacity building to increase digital literacy especially amongst Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and contribution to the effective reform of the Multilateral Development Banks and the International Financial Institutions. Minister Maliki further emphasised that a multi-pronged approach and prompt global action is necessary to help developing countries mitigate the effects of climate change. The full text of Minister Maliki’s remarks is appended.

On the sidelines of the DMM, Minister Maliki met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Dr AK Abdul Momen, Minister of Economy of Oman, Dr Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Planning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Yasser Osama Faquih, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh and Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union Doreen Bogdan-Martin. Minister Maliki and his counterparts reaffirmed strong bilateral ties and had fruitful discussions on regional and international developments.

Minister Maliki also conveyed signed copies of the Framework Agreement on the Establishment of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Singapore’s Instrument of Ratification during his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, on 12 June 2023. Singapore’s ISA membership will help to enhance solar energy cooperation with India and other ISA members. In addition, the two Ministers spoke on the next India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable to be held in Singapore later in the year. Minister Maliki had the opportunity to meet Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and they discussed Singapore’s new investments in the State.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

12 JUNE 2023

2023 G20 DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS’ MEETING

VARANASI, INDIA

SESSION ONE INTERVENTION

MULTILATERALISM – COLLECTIVE ACTIONS FOR ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS SDGs

Minister Jaishankar

Thank you for inviting Singapore to this important meeting on development.

Colleagues,

As many of you have noted, we must do more to implement the 2030 Agenda. However, increased geopolitical tensions, sharpened rivalries amongst major powers, and the deepening North-South divide have resulted in the erosion of multilateralism and made international cooperation, including consensus on statements, more difficult. Further, soaring inflation will affect economic growth, and developing countries will be particularly hard hit as they start from a much lower base.

The G20, comprising the world’s major economies, has the heft to galvanize resources, provide global directions, and assist developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Allow me to offer two suggestions.

First, while national actions are important, the G20 could identify one or two concrete areas where they could actively help developing countries. For example, given the importance of digitalisation in transforming economies, G20 members could jointly focus on designing a framework to provide capacity building to increase digital literacy, especially amongst Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In ASEAN, a market potential of 661 million and 60% aged 35 years and below, we have developed several strategic frameworks and initiatives to guide its digital integration journey including trade facilitation, electronic payments, and logistics, to propel further economic development. Today, it has a young and tech-savvy population. In terms of numbers, Southeast Asia, with more than 70% digital penetration, has an e-commerce market of around US$ 131 billion, and is expected to grow to US$ 330 billion by 2025. Increasing capacity can unlock the full potential of many developing countries.

Second, the G20 can contribute to the effective reform of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) so that they are fit for purpose in assisting developing countries achieve the SDGs. For example, the G20 could work with them to develop innovative solutions as public funding is insufficient to meet the huge development financing gap.

Singapore will also contribute to these efforts and continue our technical assistance to developing countries in areas such as data analytics, public administration, and disaster risk management. Last year, we signed an MOU with the Asian Development Bank to enhance existing collaboration to continue supporting private sector development projects that contribute to Asia Pacific’s infrastructure, financial, and social needs.

We will continue to do our part as an active participant in the G20 process.

Thank you.

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2023 G20 DEVELOPMENT MINISTERS’ MEETING

VARANASI, INDIA

SESSION TWO INTERVENTION

GREEN DEVELOPMENT –

A LiFE APPROACH

Minister Jaishankar

Colleagues,

The climate crisis is an existential threat to mankind. The world is off-track to achieve the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals, which has resulted in the extreme weather events we see today. “Business as usual” will not be enough. A multi-pronged approach and prompt global action is necessary, in particular, to assist developing countries mitigate the effects of climate change.

Let me cite three areas:

First, capacity building is key. While Small Island Developing States, or SIDS, and other developing countries, such as those in Southeast Asia, may have potential for renewable energy, they could benefit from expertise from developed countries to put in place the necessary infrastructure and policies. Developed countries could also share effective adaptation strategies, including reducing urban heat island effect, restoring natural ecosystems such as mangroves to prevent storm surges, and improving drainage systems.

Second, green financing is crucial to increase investments in projects that bring about environmental benefits. An IMF study shows that public adaptation costs exceed 1 percent of GDP in developing countries, and up to 20 percent for certain SIDS. In Southeast Asia, around US$3 trillion of green investment is needed by 2030 in sectors such as infrastructure and agriculture to meet our climate obligations. However, green finance is currently inadequate. This has serious consequences not only for climate change mitigation but also for biodiversity.

Last but not least, we need to change our mindsets and behaviours, and in this context, we welcome India’s concept of “LiFE”, or Lifestyle for Environment. The Indian proposal of LiFE is an important initiative. We are disappointed it was not included in the final statement. Individuals and communities have a major role to play in mitigating climate change and pursuing green development for any such policies to be sustainable in the long term. To tackle this challenge, it is important to factor in realities on the ground. In many societies, there is limited understanding of environmental issues. In Southeast Asia, for example, UNESCO has described climate change education as “still very much in its infancy”. Preoccupied with basic needs, entrenched social practices and cultural traditions may also hinder communities from adopting sustainable lifestyles. Hence, we should place greater emphasis on raising awareness within our communities, improving the curriculum in schools and nurturing effective role models in families to promote sustainable practices from young.

Singapore looks forward to working with the G20 in these efforts. Thank you.

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Photo caption: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Education Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman attending the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting, 12 June 2023.