Consider the following statements about G-20: 1) The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues. 2) Digital public infrastructure is one of India's G-20 priorities. [2023]

Consider the following statements about G-20:

The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues.
Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

Evolution of G20: It was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis. It was started as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. It was upgraded to the level of Heads of State in the wake of the 2007 global financial crisis. In 2009, it was designated the “premier forum for international economic cooperation”. It initially focused on broad macroeconomic issues, but has since expanded its agenda to include sustainable development, health, energy, the environment, climate change, and anti-corruption.

Infographic detailing G20 group history, member countries, regional bodies, functioning, and key statistics, using color-coded flags, icons, and maps. Highlights include 19 member countries, two parallel tracks (Finance and Sherpa), 85% global GDP coverage, and recent expansions like African Union joining in 2022

Additional Information

The African Union (AU) is a continental body representing all African countries (55 member states).
It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (1963-1999).
Mali, Sudan, and Guinea were suspended in 2021, and Burkina Faso was suspended in 2022 after the military took power.
The aims of the AU are:
- To achieve greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their people.
- To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of its Member States.
- To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation, and good governance.
- To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent.
- To accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent.

Statement 2 is correct

Digital Public Infrastructure was one of the key priorities during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023. It is a cross-cutting theme across various Working Groups, including Digital Economy, Health, Education and Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion. DPI includes population-scale digital systems and platforms that support basic, society-wide functions, effectively serving as “rails” for digital transactions, such as digital identification, digital payments, data sharing and verifiable credentials. They can underpin entire sectors, such as in health and education, and unlock opportunities for global and regional cooperation by monitoring climate commitments, improving access to justice or enabling digital commerce.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

2023, PYQs