New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked G20 members on Thursday to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are distributed quickly and fairly to promote global recovery.

Sitharaman was speaking at a virtual conference of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The Finance Minister emphasised that closing the gaps in global pandemic preparedness is critical, and that the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force's efforts in this area should continue.

On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the establishment of a G20 Secretariat and associated reporting structures, which will be in charge of implementing overall policy choices and plans for India's next G20 presidency.

Sitharaman discussed India's policy reaction and urged that recovery efforts should be based on a long-term strategy. To reduce the pandemic's scarring effects and develop resilience, she focused eliminating structural impediments.

The G20 Presidency will be held by India from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, culminating in the G20 Summit in India in 2023. The G20 is the most important platform for international economic cooperation and global economic governance.

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