New Delhi; 12 October: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressed the Parliamentary Forum on ‘LiFE : Lifestyle for the Environment), the pre Summit event organized ahead of the P20 Summit, today. At the outset, Shri Birla welcomed Presiding Officers from Parliaments of G20 Nations to the mother of democracy and expressed joy and gratitude for their participation in ‘LiFE’, Pre-Summit event.
Shri Birla said that in today’s contemporary times climate change and its impact is deeply interlinked with the common future of humanity. He added that it is only natural that on India’s initiative, environment related issues have been unanimously placed at the center of the discussions during the P-20 conference.
Drawing attention towards the detrimental effects of climate change, Shri Birla said that in today’s time no country is untouched by the impact of climate change. Emphasizing on concrete efforts to deal with the challenges facing the world, Shri Birla underlined that it is the need of the hour to confront climate change head on.
Referring to the idea of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) mooted by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, aimed at environmental protection, Shri Birla noted that Mission Life Style is a comprehensive approach to environmental protection which empowers every person to reduce, reuse and recycle. He added that it is necessary that everyone adopts such an approach in their lifestyle causes no harm to the environment. Shri Birla described this approach as everyone’s personal as well as collective responsibility. Shri Birla observed that the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Mission has given the world a new way to deal with contemporary challenges like climate change, sustainable development, health security, food security and energy security etc which has now become a global movement. He added that based on this idea, different countries are making policies and action plans according to their geographical and socio-economic conditions.
Mentioning legislative initiatives taken by the Parliament of India on the topic of lifestyle for environment, Shri Birla said that extensive discussions have been taken up in the Parliament in this direction and laws have also been made. Emphasizing on individual responsibility, he said that only policies and laws are not enough to deal with the problem of climate change, rather everyone needs to contribute collectively by modifying their everyday routine. Shri Birla urged the Presiding Officers that the topic of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) must be discussed by all Parliaments to ensure that the message of this Mission is shaped into a people’s movement and a better world can be built.
LiFE Movement is a worldwide effort launched by Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in June 2022 dedicated to supporting eco-friendly lifestyle and protecting the environment.
Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations appreciated the initiative of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi for the ‘LiFE’ mission and collectively resolved that they will take this initiative further through debates and discussions in their respective Parliaments.
On this occasion, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh underlined that Mission LiFE seeks to channel the efforts of individuals and communities into a global mass movement of positive behavioural change. Mission LiFE is a very significant step in our long journey of sustainable living, he added. Mentioning that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made concerted efforts to combat the ill effects of Climate Change, he urged the legislators to be the guardians of environment and the torchbearers of a sustainable legacy and regenerative future. Collective efforts will turn the tide towards a world where life thrives, and our planet flourishes, noted Shri Harivansh.
Presiding officers of Parliaments of participating G20 nations also made interventions during the discussion.
Shri Amitabh Kant, Sherpa of India’s G-20 Presidency also spoke on this occasion.
Ms. Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India made a presentation on “LiFE” which was followed by a short film.
The Parliamentary Forum on LiFE brings together parliamentarians from G-20 nations, along with invited countries and international organizations, to deliberate on strategies for advancing sustainable lifestyles and combating climate change. This forum holds substantial significance, serving as a platform for parliamentarians to exchange insights and successful approaches in the promotion of sustainable living. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in increasing awareness of the LiFE movement and its overarching objectives.
Later, Hon’ Milton Dick, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives; H.E Ms. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury,Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh; H.E. Mr. Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, UAE and H.E. Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo, Acting President, Pan Africa called on Shri Birla.
Shri Birla expressed gratitude to Australia for supporting India’s priorities and initiatives during G20 Summit. He also praised Australia for supporting India’s initiative for inclusion of African Union in G20. Shri Birla also noted that recent visits by Prime Ministers of both countries have given a new dimension to bilateral relations between India and Australia and mutual cooperation has further deepened and infused new energy. He urged that both Parliaments should widen the scope of parliamentary cooperation. During his meeting with H.E Ms. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury,Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh, Shri Birla emphasised that India and Bangladesh should further increase cooperation between Parliaments. He expressed satisfaction at increasing connectivity across road, rail, air, waterways and digital sectors between the two countries. In his meeting with Mr. Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, UAE, Shri Birla noted that initiatives like ‘Biofuel Alliance’ and ‘India Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’ have brought India and UAE closer. During his meeting with H.E. Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo, Acting President, Pan Africa, Shri Birla congratulated him for inclusion of African Union in G20. The dignitaries discussed several important issues and explored opportunities for further collaboration between the two Parliaments.
On Friday, 13 October, 2023, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 9th P20 Summit at YashoBhoomi, Dearka, Delhi. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla will grace the occasion. Besides Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations, Presiding Officers of Parliaments of invited countries will also attend the Summit. The President of the Pan African Parliament will be making their inaugural participation in the P-20 Summit hosted in India.
Adhering to the philosophy of “VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM – Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future”, the two day Summit will deliberate on the following subjects of contemporary relevance:
(i) Agenda 2030 for SDGs: Showcasing Achievements, Accelerating Progress;
(ii) Sustainable Energy Transition Gateway to Green Future;
(iii) Mainstreaming Gender Equality- From Women’s Development to Women led Development; and
(iv) Transformation in Peoples’ Lives through Public Digital Platforms
The Ninth P20 reflects a glorious journey of collective vision of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 Nations which had taken root in 2010 in a Consultative meeting. A Statement is attached.
