Development of infrastructure and quality of life complement each other. Giving importance to both the aspects in the global development model is essential for the formulation of policies and for a safe and secure future for the next generation.
Eco-friendly lifestyle is absolutely necessary in the present global circumstances. Brainstorming took place in the second plenary session of the special Think T-20 programme under the G-20 on “International Solidarity, State-of-the-art Technology and Availability of Adequate Finance” in the session “Financing Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Transition Towards Life” chaired by Shyamala Gopinath, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Center, Bhopal.
Gopinath mentioned India’s Panchamrit goals to the world by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that availability of finance is important for the world along with India to adopt an environment friendly development path. In this, determination of the role and co-operative attitude of development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral institutions, carbon market instruments and role various nations will facilitate the achievement of the goal.
Prof. M. Suresh Babu, Advisor of Prime Minister Economic Advisory Committee New Delhi said that today the world is grappling with pandemic and extreme weather conditions. These incidents have adversely affected the infrastructure. It has displayed the need for infrastructure to be developed in such a way that it can withstand the ravages of time and natural changes. Along with this, the development work should be environment friendly. In this work, along with technology and research, global co-operation is required in the availability of finance. Along with the calculation of the initial expenditure in infrastructure development, their maintenance should also be included in the consideration, so that it will be useful for the future generations as well. Social participation and shared responsibility are vital in this process. Along with the prevailing financing tools, attention should be given to innovative finance sources, it is necessary to have a strong legal framework with inclusive finance availability.
Dr. Nicolas Buchoud, Co-founder and President, Grand Paris Alliance for Metropolitan Development, France, underlined that innovation comes from the intelligentsia, the private sector and industry, not from the government system. Therefore, harmony is necessary in various enlightened classes and the global system.
Prof. Sony Kapoor, European University Institute, Italy, said that the capital cost of meeting energy needs with renewable and eco-friendly resources is three times higher than with existing resources. There is a collateral relationship between development and environment. He emphasised that India’s per capita carbon footprint is very low as compared to developed countries. But keeping the environment in mind, human capital cannot be ignored in global development. Paying attention to human capital, if we can meet the finance and other basic requirements for the development of human resources, it will give a great boost to global development.
Prof. Nagesh Kumar, Director Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, India said that the implementation of SDG targets is slow due to non-availability of finance. Even in the Covid pandemic, a large part of the resources of the nations was spent in the health sector. In such situation, external and additional resources are needed to achieve the goal. Meanwhile Prof. Kumar made suggestions to impose international tax to get finance.
Priyanto Rohmatullah, Director, State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Transformation, BAPPENAS, Indonesia gave a brief overview of the efforts being made by Indonesia to achieve the SDG goals. He said that India and Indonesia are walking together in promoting low carbon technology.
Prof. N.R. Bhanumurthy, VC, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Economic University, Bangalore, while emphasising on social infrastructure development, said that today it is necessary to work on bottom up approach. He also advised to pay attention to rural infrastructure development along with urban development. He also made a mention of “Vocal for Local”, “One District, One Product” initiative under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prof. Rajat Kathuria, Dean School of Humanities and Social Science, Shiv Nadar University said that the world is not short of resources. What is lacking is global commitment based on the philosophy of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. He said that with global development, the situation of increasing inequality on global and national level is worth considering. The global community should do strong and dedicated work in this direction as well.
Minister of Science and Technology, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shri Omprakash Sakhlecha, eminent people from different countries and representatives of international organisations were present in the session.
