Table of Contents
What has happened?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday delivered a ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda via video conference.
- During his speech, he talked about some of the pressing issues like Covid, climate change, cryptocurrency, reforms and initiatives taken by his government for ease of doing business.
What is WEF summit?
- The WEF summit is an annual event held at the ski resort of Davos in Switzerland, which sees the participation of world leaders, politicians, economists, and business leaders every year.
- The WEF 2022 is being held virtually from January 17 to 21 at Davos in Switzerland.
- Working Together, Restoring Trust
- First named the European Management Forum, it changed its name to the World Economic Forum in 1987 and Sought to broaden its vision to include providing a platform for resolving international conflicts.
- The World Economic Forum and its annual meeting in Davos are criticised regarding the public cost of security,
- The formation of a wealthy global elite without attachment to the broader societies, undemocratic decision processes, gender issues and a lack of financial transparency.
- A week-long online ‘Davos Agenda’ summit is being held in its place.
- Two virtual summits are expected in the online summit – one on Covid-19 and the second on technology cooperation in the fourth industrial revolution.
- Several heads of state will address the event including Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Chinese President Xi Jinping.
On Covid-19
- Hailing the efforts by the scientists and healthcare professionals to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, “India is moving forward with great strength and vigor.
- We have recently completed the enormous task of administering 160 crore vaccine doses.
- I am sure in the times to come India will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the world.”
- The Prime Minister said that India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence and the country has gifted the world a “bouquet of hope”.
- “Our multi-lingual, cultural environment is not only our strength but the strength of the world. India offers a bouquet of hope to the world.
- It includes our trust in democracy; it includes our technology, our temperament and talent,” he asserted.
- “In this time, we have seen how India has followed the vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ is saving crores of lives by giving essential medicines, vaccines to many countries,” he said,
- Adding that India is the world’s third largest pharma producer at the present time.
On climate change
- PM Modi zeroed on to the consumerist tendency of “use and dispose” and argued for changing this trend by launching a global peoples movement.
- “We must accept that our lifestyles too are a big challenge for the climate. The throw away culture and consumerism have made climate challenge even more serious.
- It is very essential that we move from today’s take, make, use and dispose economy and move towards a circular economy,“ said PM Modi.
- Modi urged that ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ is useful for fighting climate challenges and said the world should launch a peoples movement with “3 Ps” — “Pro Planet People”.
Invest in India
- “Today, India is promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
- By reducing our corporate tax rate, we are making it most competitive.
- IT sector of India has created a record breaking number of software engineers.
- We have reduced more than 25,000 compliances. We are working towards becoming the hub of global supply chains.
- We are also encouraging free trade agreements with many countries,” he said.
- Inviting all foreign investors, PM Modi said that this is the best time to invest in India as the youth of the country are ready to take up businesses and ideas to new heights.
- “With our global skills, India has registered more than 60,000 startups in 2021,” he shared.
- More than 50 lakh software developers are working in the country.
Digital infrastructure
- “More than six lakh villages have been connected with optical fiber.
- To bring every stakeholder of development on one platform, India has started the Gatishakti national masterplan.
- We have launched PM Gati Shakti Master plan that will integrate infrastructure, development and implementation. It will seamlessly connect goods, people and services,” PM Modi said at the event.
- “The digital infrastructure that India developed and adopted in the last few years has turned out to be a major strength for India.
- The Arogya Setu app used for the tracking of corona infection and the Co-Win portal which is used for vaccination are technological solutions that India is proud of.
- Bigger countries have taken note of these developments,” the Prime Minister said.
Good governance
- India, he said is committed to reducing interference by the government in business and new areas are emerging for investment.
- “India has deregulated several sectors like drones, space, geospatial mapping. India has carried out big reforms in the outdated telecom sector,” Mr. Modi said.
On cryptocurrency
- Th Prime Minister also spoke on cryptocurrency and called it an “emerging challenge”.
- “We need uniform approach to crypto around the world. We must find an alternative to crypto monopoly,” he said.
Q) Which organization has released the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2021?
- Germanwatch
- UNFCCC
- WHO
- FAO