DHARAMSALA: The G20 Research Innovation and Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Conference on Eco-Innovations for Energy Transition concluded on April 19, 2023, in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
The conference was attended by 29 foreign delegates and 30 Indian experts and invitees from various scientific departments and organizations of the Government of India. Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary DST and Chair-RIIG, chaired the meeting.
The RIIG is a new initiative of the G20 Forum, which was launched during the Indonesian Presidency in 2022. The conference was attended by G20 countries and international organizations, including Indonesia, Turkey, the United States of America, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Republic of Korea, Spain, European Union, and International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Dr. Chandrasekhar welcomed the delegates to the meeting and emphasized the need to prioritize transitioning away from fossil fuel consumption. He highlighted the potential for harnessing renewable energies to meet our requirements but acknowledged that capturing, converting, and storing them on a large scale requires a monumental effort that can be accomplished by working together.
Ambassador D.P. Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, Vivekanand International Foundation, delivered a keynote address on India's Energy Transition in a carbon-constrained world.
The conference discussions focused on topics such as smart energy transformation, storage and management, mission-driven research in sustainable energy transitions, policy frameworks for research and innovation in carbon-neutral energy sources and green hydrogen, and cooperation among G20 members on specific thematic areas.
Overall, the conference was a significant step towards promoting eco-innovations for energy transition and fostering international cooperation in this critical area. The conference deliberated on sharing the best practices and policy models of G20 nations for sustainable energy transition.
The next RIIG meeting will be held in Diu on the topic of scientific challenges and opportunities for a sustainable blue-economy. The RIIG Meetings will conclude with the RIIG Summit and Research Ministers meeting in Mumbai on 5th July 2023 and a joint declaration will be adopted by G20 members.