At the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for a development-centric, resilient and inclusive global growth model, urging member nations to strengthen cooperation in disaster preparedness, climate commitments and open technology access.
Speaking at the plenary session, PM Modi said that global strategies must evolve from being “response-centric to development-centric”. He recalled India’s work during its G20 Presidency, including the creation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, aimed at enhancing global preparedness.
Focus on Resilient Infrastructure and Open Satellite Data
PM Modi highlighted India’s initiative — the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) — and said that collaboration through CDRI could help mobilize finance, technology and skills to build a more resilient future.
He announced India’s proposal for the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, a framework to make satellite imagery and analysis from G20 space agencies more accessible and interoperable, especially for nations in the Global South.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening climate action, agriculture, disaster response and data-driven development.
Critical Minerals and Circular Economy
PM Modi also proposed the G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative, focusing on recycling, urban mining and second-life batteries.
He said circularity could reduce dependence on primary mining, improve supply-chain stability and encourage innovation in clean energy technologies.
Climate Finance Commitments Reiterated
Referring to the New Delhi G20 Summit outcomes, the Prime Minister reminded developed nations of the collective commitment to:
Triple renewable energy capacity by 2030
Double energy-efficiency improvement rates by 2030
He stressed that affordable climate finance and time-bound technology transfer from developed countries were essential for achieving these goals.
Food Security, Millets and the Deccan Principles
PM Modi said that climate change and related challenges are threatening agriculture and global food security.
He highlighted India’s national efforts, including:
the world’s largest food security and nutrition support programme,
the world’s largest health insurance programme, and
the largest crop insurance scheme.
He reiterated India’s promotion of Shree Anna (millets) as nutritious and climate-resilient crops.
PM Modi urged member nations to develop a G20 Roadmap based on the Deccan Principles, which were adopted during India’s G20 Presidency.
“Resilience Cannot Be Built in Silos”
Concluding his remarks, PM Modi said that global resilience requires integrated strategies linking nutrition, public health, sustainable agriculture and disaster preparedness.
He called on G20 countries to work collectively to safeguard global security and build systems that protect the most vulnerable.
