Guwahati: Prior to the first G20 Sustainable Finance and Working Group (SFWG) Meeting, a G20 Seminar on "Financing for SDGs: Blueprint to Achieving a Sustainable Future" was held at Gauhati University in Guwahati on January 31, 2023.

Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, Prof. (Dr.) Pratap Jyoti Handique, opened the G20 Seminar. Speaking during the event, Geetu Joshi, Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, emphasised that the main goals of the occasion were to raise awareness of the significance of the G20 and to bring the G20 to the people of Assam.

In his keynote address, Dr. D. P. Goyal, Director of IIM, Shillong, discussed his viewpoint on the subject and emphasised the connection between IIM, Shillong, and sustainability. Also during the event, Sunil Nair, CGM, RBI, presented a special address on the "Role of Banks in Financing of SDGs," in which he emphasised the crucial role of banks and the actions they could play in this respect.

There were two panel discussions during the seminar as well. The first panel discussion on "Sustainable Financing: Way Ahead to accomplish Agenda 2030" was presided over by Ms. Geetu Joshi. The panellists included professionals from the business world, including Dr. Rouhin Deb, Chief Economist for the Government of Assam, Ms. Neha Kumar from the Climate Bonds Initiative, Ms. Prarthana Borah from CDP India, Ms. Roopa Satish from IndusInd Bank, and Dr. Soumen Bagchi from UNICEF.

The second panel discussion on the "Role of Financial Sector Regulators in Financing the SDGs" was presided over by Mr. Brij Raj, GM, RBI. Senior officers from the organisations that oversee the financial industry, including Mr. Amit Sinha from the RBI, Ms. Surabhi Gupta from SEBI, Mr. Ammu Venkata Ramana from the IRDAI, and Mr. Abhilash Mulakala from the IFSCA, made up the panellists.

The speakers in both Sessions provided insights based on their extensive knowledge of the subject and made some insightful recommendations on "Financing the SDGs."

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