As G20 leaders deliberated systems that can empower countries to address global challenges in a human-centric manner, what stood out for me was the pivotal role of technology in fostering inclusive, secure and ethical practices and growth. What I was especially proud of was how India led from the front. Putting words into action over the last decade, India has consistently invested in and built digital public infrastructure (DPI) that serves as a cornerstone for inclusive economic growth. From initiatives like Bharat Net and Aadhaar to other DPI platforms, our Digital India journey has yielded substantial impact at scale. Insights from it were shared with the G20. The Leaders’ Declaration emphasized the role of technology in bridging digital divides and promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
Building DPI: The forum emphasized the significance of constructing a robust, reliable and inclusive DPI that prioritizes safety, security, trustworthiness and accountability, and respects data privacy, intellectual property and human rights. The G20 endorsed both the voluntary G20 Framework for Digital Public Infrastructure Systems and India’s proposal to establish a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository. It also recognized the One Future Alliance initiative aimed at helping low- and middle-income countries with DPI.
Fostering digital ecosystems: It was remarkable to see the G20’s commitment to promoting responsible, sustainable and inclusive digital-tech deployment in agriculture, healthcare and the protection and promotion of culture and cultural heritage. Further, the Global Initiative on Digital Health for data-protected digital health systems will be key in building a comprehensive ecosystem in compliance with respective data protection regulations.
Harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly: Participants stressed the importance of developing AI systems that prioritize transparency, fairness, accountability and privacy. India has been pushing for a comprehensive framework for AI regulation and its message to the world is clear: AI is not just an instrument for progress, but a catalyst for human advancement, equity and sustainability. It was commendable to see the leaders’ commitment to G20 AI Principles that advocate a pro-innovation regulatory approach aimed at using AI to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals.
The Declaration also established the importance of startups and SMEs as key engines of sustainable economic growth and innovation. The G20, for the first time, had a dedicated Startup20 summit under India’s Presidency. This brought together all the participating countries to share their best-known practices and develop a harmonized approach to foster ecosystem growth across international borders. Thanks to its resounding success, India has paved the way for a dedicated focus on startups and SMEs within the G20 framework.
These initiatives, if undertaken, will help address the current global talent crisis and build a harmonized framework for skill development, assessment and mobility to fulfil the digital era’s rapidly growing needs.
Last but not least, I want to call out the commitment to ‘Preparing for the future of Work’ in the G20 Leaders’ Declaration. The focus on an urgent need to address growing skill gaps, commitment to working towards ensuring well-managed, regular and skills-based migration pathways, and efforts to map global skill gaps are the need of the hour, globally.
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