IMC YLF Youth Conclave 2023

 by Priya Jadhav

South Asian youth holds the key to the global progress, Amitabh Kant

 Net-Zero is massively Net-Positive, Jayant Sinha at the IMC YLF Youth Conclave 2023

June 28, 2023: Delivering inaugural address at the IMC YLF Youth Conclave 2023, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, said that South Asia’s youth possess an innate intrapreneurial spirit driven by their aspirations, resilience and willingness to take risks. Kant also mentioned the importance of skill development and educational opportunities; and collaborations between government and private entities for the youth to enhance the capacity to create innovative solutions.  Speaking about India’s presidency of G20, he said that the aim is to shape an inclusive and sustainable future for the world; and India has emerged as a major driver of technology and economic growth with its young population and dynamic start-up ecosystem. The number of start-ups in India has grown from 400 to 90,000 in recent years and these start-ups are innovating in fields like agriculture, education, nutrition and health to improve outcomes at large scale and low cost. India's technology progress and start-up culture positions it to support global solutions and serve as a catalyst for young innovators to have an impact, while also highlighting South Asia's technological transformation which has helped youth embrace digital tools and social media, making them well equipped for the digital age and able to leverage technology for social good.

Jayant Sinha in his inaugural address spoke about climate change issues and energy transition issues emphasizing that India requires to make very rapid and very transformational adjustments not just to our energy systems, but the overall economy if we have to pursue the path of sustainable prosperity.  He also stressed on need to follow a net zero development model that creates millions and millions of green jobs and for that we ought to switch our entire energy system over to renewables and zero emissions power generation, rapid transition to electric vehicles, massively ramp up green hydrogen biofuels and other such technologies and to build a global framework for the carbon credits and partnering with the government to undertake appropriate action.  He concluded by saying he believed net-zero being net positive if looked at in terms of emissions, GDP growth, job creation, pollution, and energy security.

The knowledge sharing sessions aligned with the conclave's thematic areas, namely IMAGINE, HEAL, UNITE, CREATE and HARMONY giving the audience a platform to engage in distinct knowledge sharing sessions based on topics like creative economy, climate action, green development, and sustainability, disruptive entrepreneurship and similar. These sessions provided a unique opportunity for engagement and learning across diverse topics, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts. India's global south Asian experience, models, and learnings will serve as templates for developing solutions that address key challenges encountered in various industries. 

Anant Singhania, President, IMC in his welcome remarks described IMC YLF Annual Youth Conclave 2023 as on that embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and innovation as the youth of today hold the key to addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the world, be it climate change, economic growth, or social justice.