Delegates from G20 members, invited guest countries, international organizations and invited expert participants from the scientific community will deliberate on the ways forward towards building a sustainable blue-economy at the G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Conference to be held on 18 May 2023 at Diu (Diu, Daman, Nagar Haveli).

Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India and the G20 RIIG Chair, will Chair the meeting. This G20 RIIG conference is being coordinated by Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India. Over 35 foreign delegates and 40 Indian experts, delegates and invitees are expected to participate in the conference. Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary MoES shall coordinate the proceedings of the RIIG Conference.

The main theme of RIIG during India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023 is “Research and Innovation for an Equitable Society”. The four priority areas of RIIG under India’s G20 Presidency are i) Materials for Sustainable Energy; ii) Circular bio-economy; iii) Eco-Innovations for Energy Transition; and iv) Scientific Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Blue Economy. The RIIG Conferences on Materials for Sustainable Energy; Circular bio-economy and Eco-Innovations for Energy Transition have already been concluded at Ranchi, Dibrugarh and Dharamshala respectively.

The RIIG Diu Conference on Blue Economy shall foster knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices between G20 members on several key sub-themes including (a) Blue Economy Sectors and Opportunities, (b) Marine Pollution, (c) Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity, (d) Observations, Data and Information Services, (e) Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, (f) Deep-Sea Exploration, New and Renewable Offshore Energy, and (g) Blue Economy Policies and Strategies.

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SNC/PK