More than 600 delegates from 62 countries will participate in two-day Y20 India Summit at the Maharaja Sayajirao University Vadodara in Gujarat. Focusing on the theme of climate change and environmental conservation this international conference  will be inaugurated by Shri Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat tomorrow.

Organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India to mark the celebration of India’s G20 Presidency, the focus would be on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction:Making sustainability a Way of Life’. “This conference is being organized on the motto of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’-One Earth-One Family-One Future which will channelize the awareness on environment conservation”, said Ms Meeta Rajivlochan, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of India today while addressing a press conference. India has got the presidency of G20 this year and the conference would provide voice to the youth to articulate their thoughts for sustainable development of the planet, she added.

“It is a matter of pride for The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara to host an international conference on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction:Making sustainability a Way of Life”, said Dr V K Srivastav, the Vice Chancellor. He informed that Dr.Tuomo Kauranne, President of Arbonaut OY Ltd., Finland would give the thematic address. Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Hon’ble State Minister, Home, Industries, Sports, Youth Service, Government of Gujarat will be the distinguished guest. Shri Rushikesh Patel, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat  will be the Guest of Honour.

In this conference, the 167 delegates from G20 nations, 8 international scholars, 12 national scholars, 25 international delegates, 25 national delegates, 25 representatives of Youth Ministry, 50 start-ups working on environment, 15 Shodh scholars, 10 NSS members and 250 students of different Universities studying subjects on urban planning, climate change and environment studies will participate.

A heritage walk was conducted today to showcase the rich culture and diversity of the city for the delegates.

 Different plenary sessions will be organized in this international conference. The first plenary session will be on ‘Role of Youth and Opportunities in the field of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction’ in which Dr.Tuomo Kauranne, President of Arbonaut OY Ltd., Finland; Ana Loboguerrero, Director, Alliance BI and ITA, Columbia, Shri S.J.Haider, Principal Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat; Shri Gopalji Arya, National Convener, Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi; Prof.(Dr.) Anil Kulkarni, Visiting Scientist, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science - Bengaluru will be present.

Th second plenary session will be on ‘Research, Innovation and Start-up related to Climate Change’  in which Bruce Campbell, Director, CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, Rome; Dr. Ajit Govind, Climatologist from Cairo; Dr. Shilpi Kushwaha, Environment Scientist; Rajeshwari Singh, Founder Director, Caravan Classroom Foundation and Shri Kautilya Pandit, Google Boy will share their ideas.

The third plenary session will be on ‘Experience Sharing, Best Practices related to Climate Change and Disaster-Risk Reduction’ in which Mr. Amgad Elmahdi, International Water and Natural Resources Management Specialist; Shri Arun Govind, Consultant Red Deer, Canada Chairman; Shri Rajendra Singh, Tarun Bharat Sangh; Dr. Prashant Gargava, Member Secretary at Central Pollution Control Board and Dr. Jincy Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) will share their knowledge.

In the fourth plenary session there will be a panel discussion on ‘Making Sustainability A way of Life’ in which Mr. Philippe Ciais, LSCE, The Climate Change Research Unit, IPSL, Paris; Prof. Charlotte Clarke, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Science & Health, Durham University;  Ms. Aarya Chavda, Young Environment Crusader; Shri Hardeep Desai, Head of Farm Operations at Cotton Connect South Asia Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Sneha Shah, Conversionist & UNEP Ambassador and Shri Devansh shah, Policy Consultant, Ministry of State for Communications, Government of India will take part.

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NB/SK/UD

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