NAGPUR: Civil 20 (C20) meetings across the country will kick off after the inaugural event at Nagpur on March 20 and 21, and culminate with the final summit in July in Rajasthan. C20, part of the engagement group under G20, is where civil society members and organizations discuss issues related to themes such as education, healthcare, and give suggestions to heads of states for final implementation.
Being a host for the inaugural session, Nagpur will witness a star studded VIP guest list and a plethora of events, apart from the regular sessions. The C20 Chair for India is spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly known as ‘Amma’. The C20 Chair is responsible for facilitating the C20 process. The appointment of each year’s Chair is the prerogative of civil society in the host country.
Not-for-profit organization Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) is working as the ‘secretariat’ of C20. The C20 secretariat is responsible for the administrative, financial, and logistical coordination of all tasks, and its members are appointed by the steering committee of the G20 host country. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is the chairman of RMP.
Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, vice-chairman of RMP, said, “The official name for Nagpur session is Inception Conference, as it’s the first one for C20. During the two-day session, we will also have representatives from Nagpur, who will voice their opinions on issues related to their region. Total 14 themes will be there for C20 and this is primarily a place for discussion.”
C20 sessions will be held in multiple cities and the final ‘policy pack’ on the issues discussed will be submitted to the Chair. Sahasrabuddhe said, “As per practice, the C20 Chair will then hand this over to the heads of the states for further implementation.”
Around 200 delegates from different countries are expected for the conference. Sahasrabudhe said, “It’s a matter of pride for all of us that Nagpur is hosting the inaugural conference. Delegates will also get to experience the culture of Nagpur and its surrounding areas, through cuisines, cultural exchanges and even a jungle safari at Pench.”
Total 14 working groups have been formed in C20 to focus on specific themes.