Climate change deeply interlinked with future of humanity: OM Birla at P20 Summit

New Delhi [India], October 12 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said that in today's contemporary times climate change and its impact is deeply interlinked with the common future of humanity.
He was addressing the Parliamentary Forum on 'LiFE: Lifestyle for the Environment', and welcomed Presiding Officers from G20 nations to the pre-Summit event, a precursor to the P20 Summit.
Birla emphasised the "interconnectivity" of climate change and humanity's future.
Lok Sabha Speaker said that in today's contemporary times climate change and its impact is deeply interlinked with the common future of humanity. 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.
Highlighting the need to confront climate change, Birla referred to the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described Mission LiFE as a comprehensive approach empowering individuals to reduce, reuse, and recycle in their lifestyle choices, promoting environmental responsibility.
Birla noted the global movement spawned by the LiFE Mission, addressing contemporary challenges like climate change, sustainable development, health, food, and energy security. He said that in today's time, no country is untouched by the impact of climate change. It is the need of the hour to confront climate change head-on. He urged parliaments worldwide to discuss Mission LiFE, shaping it into a people's movement for a better world.
Birla said that extensive discussions have been taken up in the Parliament in this direction and laws have also been made. Emphasising 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. 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.
During the event, Amitabh Kant, Sherpa of India's G-20 Presidency, and Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, provided insights and presentations on "LiFE".
Presiding Officers of G20 nations appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's LiFE mission, committing to furthering it through debates and discussions in their respective parliaments.
In subsequent discussions, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, highlighted Mission LiFE's objective of a global movement promoting positive behavioral changes towards sustainability. 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 Harivansh.
It is pertinent to note that the Parliamentary Forum on LiFE brought together parliamentarians from G-20 nations, invited countries, and international organizations, fostering strategies for sustainable living and combatting climate change. It played a vital role in increasing awareness of the LiFE movement and its objectives.
Later, Milton Dick, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives; Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh; Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, UAE and Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo, Acting President, Pan Africa called on Birla.
Birla expressed gratitude to Australia for supporting India's priorities and initiatives during the G20 Summit. He also praised Australia for supporting India's initiative for the inclusion of the African Union in G20. 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 Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh, 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 Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, UAE, Birla noted that initiatives like 'Biofuel Alliance' and 'India Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' have brought India and UAE closer.
During his meeting with Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo, Acting President of Pan Africa, Lok Sabha Speaker congratulated him for the inclusion of the African Union in G20.
The dignitaries discussed several important issues and explored opportunities for further collaboration between the two Parliaments.
It is notable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 9th P20 Summit at YashoBhoomi, Dwarka on October 13.
Lok Sabha Speaker 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 9th P20 Summit, which is set to commence on October 13, 2023, will delve into critical subjects like sustainable development goals, energy transition, gender equality, and the transformative potential of public digital platforms.
The summit embodies the collective vision of Presiding Officers of G20 nations, striving towards a shared future and a sustainable legacy. (ANI)