The 5th G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) conference under India’s G20 presidency was organized in Diu, Daman & Diu, Daman, Nagar Haveli on 18 May. The first day of the conference witnessed a total of four sessions discussing understanding Blue Economy – Science and Service, and Blue Economy Management & Policy perspective. The two-day conference also had deliberations on ways forward toward building a sustainable Blue Economy. Previously, RIIG conferences on Materials for Sustainable Energy, Circular Bio-economy for Energy Transition, and Eco-innovation have taken place in Ranchi, Dibrugarh, and Dharamshala respectively.
More than 35 foreign delegates and 40 Indian experts, delegates, and invitees participated in the RIIG conference. On the first day of the meeting, G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant gave an address during the opening session of the meeting. He shared his views on a sustainable Blue Economy. Mr. Prafulla K. Patel, Diu’s administrator also gave an address during the inaugural session of the meeting. He expressed his vision of promoting fishing and tourism, economic welfare, and efficient research and innovation.
Deliberations on various issues including blue economy sectors and opportunities, marine pollution, coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity, deep sea exploration, and new and renewable offshore energy were held. On the sidelines of the meeting, a week-long exhibition showcasing India’s G20 journey was inaugurated in Diu on 18 May. India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Dr. Shrivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Union Department of Science and Technology, Prafulla Patel, Administrator of the Union Territory of Diu, Daman, and Dadra Nagar Haveli were present at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
